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-THE    ODYSSEY 


HOMER, 


RENDERED    INTO    ENGLISH    BLANK   VERSE. 


By   MORDAUNT    BARNARD,    M.A. 


WILLIAMS  AND  NORGATE, 

14,  HENRIETTA  STREET,  COVENT  GARDEN,  LONDON. 

AND   20,    SOUTH    FREDERICK    STREET,  EDINBURGH. 

1876. 


*« 


T.   RICHARDS,   37,   GREAT   QUEEN    STREET,  W.C. 


IZ7S 


TO  MY  WIFE, 

ADELAIDE    SOPHIA, 

THIS    LITTLE    WORK    IS    DEDICATED, 

IN    GRATEFUL    ACKNOWLEDGMENT    OF    HER    ASSISTANCE 

IN  PREPARING  IT  FOR  THE  PRESS. 

M.  B. 


PREFACE 


The  object  of  the  translator  is  two-fold :  to 
assist  backward  students  in  mastering  the  ori- 
ginal, and  to  give  English  readers  a  simple 
and  unambitious  version,  often  differing  little 
from  mere  prose.  He  has  therefore  made  it  as 
literal  as  the  requirements  of  metre  would 
allow,  except,  for  obvious  reasons,  in  two  or 
three  passages.     "  Virginibus  puerisque  canto." 

The  liberty  has  been  taken  of  sometimes 
omitting  formulaic  epithets,  and  of  varying  the 
names  of  Deities  and  the  patronymics  of  men. 

The  marginal  numeration  of  the  lines  refers 
to  the  original.  The  passages  enclosed  in 
brackets    are    of    doubtful    authenticity.       The 


Vlll  PREFACE, 

absence  of  the  translator  from  England  may 
excuse  a  few  errors  or  inconsistencies  of  punc- 
tuation, for  which  he  and  not  the  printer  is 
responsible.  It  had  been  at  first  intended  to 
publish  the  work  in  two  volumes,  but  it  now 
appears  in  only  one.  This  will  account  for  the 
blank  page  before  the  thirteenth  book,  and  for 
the  numbering  of  the  pages  in  the  latter  part. 

Villa  Carabacel,  Nice. 

April  1876. 


THE     ODYSSEY. 


BOOK     I. 


Muse  !  tell  me  of  the  man  with  much  resource, 
Who  wandered  far,  when  sacred  Troy  he  sacked ; 
Saw  towns  of  many  men,  learned  all  they  knew, 
Winning  his  own  life  and  his  friends'  return.  5 

Yet  the  in  he  saved  not,  earnest  though  he  was, 
For  by  their  own  temerity  they  died. 
Fools  !  who  devoured  the  oxen  of  the  sun, 
Who  from  them  took  the  day  of  their  return. 
[Muse,  child  of  Jove!  from  some  source  tell  us  this.]  10 

The  others,  all  who  sudden  death  escaped, 
Flying  from  war  and  sea,  were  now  at  home. 
Him  only,  yearning  for  his  home  and  wife, 
Calypso,  nymph  adorable,  detained 
In  hollow  caves,  and  woo'd  him  for  her  spouse.  15 

When  with  revolving  years  the  year  was  come 
In  which  the  gods  had  fated  his  return 
To  Ithaca  (nor  there  he  toils  escaped 
Even  among  his  friends),  then  all  the  gods, 
Neptune  except,  compassion  on  him  took.  20 

He  'gainst  Ulysses  raged  unceasingly, 


2  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    I. 

Before  that  to  his  native  land  he  came. 

To  the  far  ^Ethiopians  he  had  gone, 

The  ^Ethiopians  most  remote  of  men  ; 

Some  near  the  setting,  some  the  rising  sun, 

To  take  a  hecatomb  of  bulls  and  lambs.  25 

There  sitting  he  enjoyed  the  feast.     The  rest 

Were  in  the  house  of  the  Olympian  Jove. 

The  sire  of  gods  and  men  began  a  speech, 

Calling  the  famed  iEgisthus  to  his  mind, 

Whom  Agamemnon's  son,  Orestes,  slew.  30 

Rememb'ring  him,  th'  immortals  he  addressed  :' 

*  0  strange  it  is  how  mortals  blame  the  gods  ! 
'  They  say  their  evils  are  from  us,  while  they 
'  By  their  own  folly  have  unfated  woes. 

'  Thus,  contrary  to  fate,  yEgisthus  took  35 

'  Atrides'  wife,  and  slew  him  when  returned  ; 

'  Though  knowing  his  own  fate,  as  him  we  wrarned 

*  (And  Hermes,  wTatchful  Argeiphontes,  sent), 
'  Neither  to  kill  him  nor  to  woo  his  wife ; 

'  For  that  revenge  would  from  Orestes  come,  40 

'  When  he  grew  up  and  claimed  his  own  domains. 
'  This  Hermes  told  him,  but  did  not  persuade, 
'  Though  well  he  counselled  him,  ^Egisthus'  mind. 
1  Now  for  all  this  the  penalty  he  pays.' 

Minerva,  blue -eyed  goddess,  answered  him  : 
'  0  father !  son  of  Saturn  !  chief  of  kings  !  45 

1  In  a  befitting  death  full  well  he  lies. 
'  So  perish  every  one  who  does  such  deeds ! 
'  But  for  the  wise  Ulysses  aches  my  heart ; 
'  Ill-fated,  far  from  friends,  and  suffering  woes 
'  On  th'  island,  where  's  the  centre  of  the  sea  ;  50 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    I.  A 

1  A  woody  island,  where  a  goddess  dwells, 
'  The  daughter  of  sagacious  Atlas,  who 
'  Knows  of  all  seas  the  depth,  and  bears  himself 
1  The  pillars  which  support  the  earth  and  sky. 

*  His  daughter  that  sad  mourning  man  detains,         55 
1  And  soothes  with  soft  delusive  words,  that  he 

1  May  Ithaca  forget.     Ulysses  longs 

*  Of  his  dear  country  but  the  rising  smoke 

'  To  see,  and  then  to  die ;  but  still  thine  heart, 

*  Olympian  Jove  !  relents  not.     Did  not  he  60 
1  Bring  grateful  offerings  by  the  Grecian  ships 

*  In  the  wide  Troy  ?  then  why  so  angry,  Jove  1 ' 

The  cloud-compelling  Jove  replied  :  '  My  child  ! 
1  What  word  has  passed  the  barrier  of  thy  teeth  ? 

*  Could  I  divine  Ulysses  e'er  forget,  65 

*  First  among  men  in  wisdom,  first  to  pay 
'  Kites  to  immortals  dwelling  in  the  sky  1 

1  But  earth-surrounding  Neptune  is  enraged 
'  Inflexibly,  because  the  Cyclops'  eye 

*  He  blinded,  Polypheme,  of  greatest  strength  70 

*  Among  the  Cyclops.     Him  Thoosa  bare, 

*  Daughter  of  Phorcys,  ruler  of  the  sea, 
1  Allied  with  Neptune  in  a  hollow  cave. 

*  Since  then  earth-shaking  Neptune  does  not  kill 

*  Ulysses,  but  detains  him  from  his  home.  75 
'  But  come,  let  all  of  us  deliberate 

'  For  his  return.     Neptune  shall  moderate 

*  His  rage,  nor  will  be  able  'gainst  the  will 
1  Of  all  th'  immortals  to  contend  alone.' 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  goddess,  answered  him  :  80 

1  0  father !  son  of  Saturn !  chief  of  kings  ! 


4  THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    I. 

6  If  'tis  the  pleasure  of  the  blessed  gods 

4  That  wise  Ulysses  to  his  home  return, 

'  Let  us  send  Mercury,  the  messenger, 

'  Slayer  of  Argus,  to  th'  Ogygian  isle,  85 

'  That  he  may  quickly  tell  the  fair-haired  nymph 

'  Our  purpose  that  Ulysses  home  return. 

1  But  I  to  Ithaca  will  go,  and  urge 

1  His  son,  and  courage  in  his  mind  will  place, 

'  That,  having  to  a  council  called  the  Greeks,  90 

'  He  warn  the  suitors  off,  who  constantly 

1  Slay  his  fat  sheep  and  slowly-trailing  beeves. 

1  To  Sparta  and  to  sandy  Pylos  I 

*  Will  send  him  to  enquire  what  he  may  hear 

1  Of  his  dear  sire  returning  to  his  home, 

( And  among  men  may  have  a  noble  fame.'  95 

She  spake,  and  bound  fair  sandals  on  her  feet, 
[Ambrosial,  golden,  which  o'er  earth  and  sea 
Bore  her  as  swift  as  breezes  of  the  wind; 
And  then  her  spear,  tipped  with  a  brazen  point, 
Strong,  weighty,  firm,  she  took,  wherewith  the  ranks  100 
Of  heroes  in  her  anger  she  subdues.] 
Down  from  Olympus'  tops  she  rushed,  and  stood 
In  Ithaca,  close  to  Ulysses'  porch, 
Upon  the  palace  threshold.     In  her  hand 
(Likening  herself  to  Mentes,  as  a  guest,  105 

A  Taphian  chief),  she  held  a  brazen  spear. 
She  found  the  noble  suitors ;  they  their  minds, 
Before  the  doors,  were  solacing  with  dice, 
Sitting  on  hides  of  beeves  which  they  had  slain. 
By  them  were  heralds  and  attendants  quick ; 
Some  mingled  wine  and  water  in  the  bowls ;  'no 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    I.  O 

And  some  with  sponges,  pierced  with  many  holes, 
The  tables  wiped  and  decked  ;  some  carved  the  flesh. 
Her  much  the  first  Telemachus  descried, 
For  'mong  the  suitors  sad  at  heart  he  sate, 
Beholding  his  brave  father  in  his  mind,  115 

Should  he  but  come  the  suitors  to  disperse, 
His  rank  maintain,  and  rule  his  own  domains. 
Full  of  these  thoughts,  he  left  them  when  he  saw 
Minerva,  and  went  straightway  from  the  porch, 
Vexed  in  his  mind  that  at  the  gates  so  long  120 

A  guest  should  stand.     Approaching  her  he  took 
Her  right  hand,  and  received  her  brazen  spear, 
And  then  addressed  her  with  these  winged  words  : 
1  Hail,  guest !  kind  treatment  thou  shalt  have  from  us, 
1  And  after  supper  shalt  thy  wants  declare.' 

He  led  the  way :  Minerva  followed  him,  125 

And  when  they  were  the  lofty  house  within, 
Against  a  column  tall  he  placed  the  spear 
In  a  well-polished  case,  wherein  there  stood 
Of  brave  Ulysses  many  other  spears. 
He  led  her  to  a  throne,  and  placed  a  cloth  130 

Embroidered  fair,  with  footstool  for  her  feet. 
Then  from  the  suitors  placed  a  couch  apart, 
Lest  by  their  clamorous  din  the  guest  annoyed 
Dislike  the  meal  in  such  proud  company, 
And  that  about  his  father  he  might  ask.  135 

From  a  fair  golden  ewer  a  maiden  filled 
A  bowl,  above  a  silver  cauldron  placed, 
To  wash,  and  laid  a  polished  table  near. 
A  venerable  housekeeper  brought  bread, 
[Piling  up  divers  cates  in  full  supply.  140 


0  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    I. 

Dishes  of  various  meats  the  carver  set, 

And  by  their  side  the  golden  cups  arranged.] 

And  oft  a  herald  went  and  poured  out  wine. 

The  noble  suitors  entered  then,  and  sate 
In  order  due  upon  the  seats  and  thrones.  145 

The  heralds  poured  out  water  on  their  hands  ; 
The  maidens  high  in  baskets  heaped  the  bread  ; 
The  young  men  crowned  the  goblets  with  the  wine  j 
And  on  the  feast  prepared  their  hands  they  laid. 
But  when  for  drink  and  food  their  appetite  150 

They  satisfied,  to  other  thoughts  they  turned ; 
To  song  and  dance,  which  ornament  a  feast. 
A  herald  gave  to  Phemius  a  lyre, 
And  he  reluctant  to  the  suitors  played  ; 
But  though  he  harped  he  yet  delayed  to  sing.  155 

Then  to  Minerva  said  Telemachus, 
Holding  his  head  close  lest  the  rest  should  hear  : 
'  Dear  stranger,  wilt  be  angry  at  my  words? 
1  To  these  men  harp  and  song  are  easy  cares ; 
1  For  they  the  substance  of  another  eat  160 

1  Without  their  cost ;  the  property  of  one 
1  Whose  whitened  bones  are  weltering  in  the  rain, 
■  Or  on  the  land,  or  rolling  in  the  wave. 
'  But  if  to  Ithaca  they  saw  him  come, 
'  They  all  would  pray  to  be  more  light  of  foot, 
1  Rather  than  richer  be  in  gold  and  vests.  165 

'  He  now  by  evil  fate  has  died  j  no  comfort  is 
'  To  us,  e'en  though  some  man  on  earth  should  say 
'  He  will  return  :  of  that  all  hope  is  lost. 
'  Now  tell  me  this,  and  let  thy  speech  be  true, 
'  Who  art  thou?  whence?  what  city,  parents  thine?  170 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    I.  7 

'  In  what  ship  didst  thou  come  to  Ithaca  1 

*  Why  did  the  sailors  bring  thee  ?  who  are  they  1 
1  For  thou  by  land  most  surely  couldst  not  come. 
'  And  tell  me  truly  this,  that  I  may  know  ; 

*  New  comer  art  thou,  or  my  father's  guest  1  175 

*  For  many  others  to  our  house  have  come, 
'And  he  was  very  conversant  with  men.' 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  goddess,  answered  him  : 
1  Aye  !  I  will  truly  tell  thee  all  these  things. 

I  Mentes,  the  son  of  brave  Anchialus,  180 

I I  am,  and  rule  the  Taphians,  fond  of  oars. 

1  Now  hither  with  my  ship  and  friends  I  come 

*  To  strangers,  o'er  the  dark  sea  sailing,  bound 
'  To  Temesa  for  brass  ;  and  bright  steel  bring. 

1  Far  from  the  town  in  Rheithron's  harbour  lies        335 

1  My  ship,  beneath  the  woody  Lei'on. 

'  Hereditary  friends  we  claim  to  be 

'  From  times  of  old  ;  if  thou  wilt  go  and  ask 

'  Laertes,  aged  hero,  who,  they  say, 

'  To  the  town  comes  not,  but  in  distant  fields  190 

4  Endures  calamities  ;  and  on  him  waits 

1  An  aged  housekeeper,  who  food  and  drink, 

'  When  weariness  comes  o'er  his  limbs,  supplies, 

1  As  through  his  vineyard's  fertile  plot  he  creeps. 

'  I  came  because  they  told  me  that  thy  sire 

'  Was  here,  whose  homeward  road  the  gods  obstruct.  195 

1  For  upon  earth  Ulysses  is  not  dead, 

'  But,  living,  by  the  broad  sea  is  detained 

1  Within  a  sea-girt  island.     Cruel  men 

*  Hold  and  restrain  him  far  against  his  will. 

'But  I  will  prophesy,  as  to  my  mind  200 


0  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    I. 

*  The  gods  suggest,  and  as  I  think  will  be, 

'  Although  no  prophet,  nor  in  birds  well-skilled  : 

1  Not  from  his  dear  paternal  land  will  he 

1  Be  absent  long,  though  iron  chains  may  bind. 

'  Man  of  much  craft,  he'll  plan  for  his  return.  205 

1  But  tell  me  this,  and  let  thy  speech  be  true, 

6  If  thou,  so  stalwart,  art  Ulysses'  son. 

'  Much  thou  resemblest  him  in  head  and  eyes ; 

*  For  we  repeatedly  together  met 

*  Before  he  went  to  Troy,  where  other  chiefs  210 
'  Went  of  the  Grecians  in  their  hollow  ships; 

1  Him  from  that  time  I  saw  not  nor  he  me.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  her  replied  : 
'  Guest !  I  will  speak  to  thee  with  perfect  truth. 
'  My  mother  says  that  I'm  his  son,  but  I  215 

■  Know  not,  nor  any  son  his  father  knows. 
4  The  son  I  should  be  of  a  wealthy  man, 
'  Whom  of  his  own  domains  old  age  finds  lord. 
'  But  now  of  one  beyond  all  men  distrest 

*  They  call  me  son  ;  since  this  thou  dost  enquire.'    220 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  goddess,  spake  again : 

*  The  gods  have  not  inglorious  made  thy  birth, 
'  Whom,  such  a  son,  Penelope  has  borne. 

'  But  tell  me  this,  and  let  thy  words  be  true  : 
'  What  is  this  feast,  this  concourse !  and  what  need  225 
'  For  thee]  what  banquet,  or  what  marriage -day? 
1  Not  one  where  all  a  contribution  make, 
1  For  with  proud  insolence  they  seem  to  feast ; 
'  And  any  prudent  man  would  angry  be, 
'  Who  should  come  near  and  such  foul  deeds  behold.' 
The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said  :  230 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    I. 


^ 


1  Guest !  since  these  questions  thou  dost  ask  and  urge, 
1  There  was  a  time  when  this  house  used  to  be 
1  Honoured  and  rich,  while  that  man  was  at  home. 
1  Now  the  gods,  planning  ills,  have  changed  its  state, 

I  And  have  of  all  men  left  him  most  obscure.  235 

I I  should  not  grieve  so  much  if  he  had  died  .^   ^ 
4  Among  his  own  companions,  slain  at  Troy, 

'  Or  in  his  friends'  hands,  when  the  war  was  done. 

1  Then  would  the  Greeks  have  built  his  tomb,  and  he 

1  Both  for  himself  and  son  have  earned  renown.        240 

'  Whirlwinds  ingloriously  have  borne  him  off; 

'  Unknown,  unheard  of,  he  is  gone,  and  left 

'  Nothing  behind  for  me  but  griefs  and  groans. 

'  Nor  for  him  only  do  I  weep  and  wTail, 

'  For  evil  cares  on  me  the  gods  have  brought. 

'  As  many  chiefs  as  o'er  the  islands  rule,  245 

1  Samos,  Zacynthus,  and  Dulichium, 

1  And  who  bear  sway  in  rocky  Ithaca, 

'  All  woo  my  mother,  and  despoil  the  house. 

*  And  she  the  hateful  marriage  nor  denies 

'  Nor  can  conclude.     They  gluttonously  waste         250 
'  My  house,  and  quickly  will  destroy  myself.' 

Pallas  Minerva  said  indignantly  : 
'  0  shame  !  Ulysses'  absence  well  thou  may'st 
'  Iiegret,  for  on  the  shameless  suitors  he 
1  Would  lay  his  hands.     E'en  at  the  entrance  gates  955 

*  Were  he  to  stand  with  helm,  shield  and  two  spears, 
1  Such  as  when  first  I  knew  him  in  our  house, 

'  [In  revelry  and  joy,  from  Ephyra 

1  And  Ilus,  son  of  Mermerus,  returned. 

1  Ulysses  thither  in  his  swift  ship  went,  2G0 


10  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    I. 

1  To  seek  for  deadly  poison  to  besmear 

'  His  brazen  arrows,  but  he  gave  it  not, 

'  Fearing  the  anger  of  th'  immortal  gods  ; 

'  My  father  gave  it,  for  he  loved  him  much.] 

1  If  such  Ulysses  met  the  suitors  now,  265 

'  Swift  death  and  bitter  wooing  they  would  have. 

'  But  in  the  gods'  lap  all  these  things  repose, 

'  Whether  for  vengeance  he  return  or  not 

1  To  his  own  house.     I  bid  thee  to  reflect 

1  How  thou  canst  drive  the  suitors  from  thine  house.  270 

'  Come  then,  consider  and  regard  my  words. 

'  To-morrow  to  a  council  call  the  Greeks, 

'  Harangue  them  all,  and  let  the  gods  attest  j 

'  The  suitors  bid  thou  to  their  homes  disperse. 

'  To  wedlock  if  thy  mother's  mind  inclines,    .  275 

'  Let  her  to  her  great  father's  house  return. 

1  The  marriage  they  will  fix  ;  the  bridal  gifts, 

*  As  for  a  daughter  dear  are  fit,  prepare. 

1  Thyself  I'll  counsel,  if  thou  wilt  obey  : 

'  With  twenty  rowers  thy  best  ship  supply,  280 

'  And  thy  long  absent  father  go  to  seek, 

'  If  men  can  tell  thee,  or  from  Jove  the  voice, 

'  Which  chiefest  brings  report  to  men,  thou  hear'st. 

1  Go  first  to  JJvJqs,  and  of  Nestor  ask  ;|n 

1  To  Sparta  next  and  Menelaus  fair,  285 

'  For  he  of  well-armed  Greeks  has  come  the  last, 

i  If  thou  canst  learn  thy  sire's  return  and  life  ; 

'  And  there,  however  vexed,  remain  a  year. 

1  If  thou  shouldst  hear  that  he  is  dead,  nor  more 

'  Alive,  to  thy  dear  native  land  return  \  290 

'  To  him  erect  a  monument,  and  pay, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    I.  11 

'  As  is  befitting,  all  funereal  rites, 

*  And  to  another  spouse  thy  mother  give. 

'  And  when  all  this  thou  hast  completely  done, 
1  Then  counsel  take  within  thy  mind  and  thought, 
1  How  thou  may'st  slay  the  suitors  in  thine  house,    295 
1  By  craft  or  openly  :  it  is  not  fit 

*  To  play  a  child's  game  when  no  longer  such. 

*  Hast  thou  not  heard  what  fame  Orestes  gained 

*  From  all,  who  killed  his  father's  murderer, 

'  Crafty  ^Egisthus,  slayer  of  his  sire  1  300 

1  And  thou,  dear  youth,  whom  fair  and  strong  I  see, 
'  Be  brave,  that  future  men  may  speak  of  thee. 
1  But  to  my  swift  ship  I  will  now  go  down, 

*  And  to  my  friends  who  wait  for  me  and  grieve. 

*  Take  thou  good  heed,  and  think  upon  my  words.'    305 

To  her  the  wise  Telemachus  replied  : 

*  Guest !  thou  hast  spoken  with  kind  thoughts,  as  might 
1  Father  to  son,  and  I  will  ne'er  forget, 

1  But  stay  thou  now,  though  eager  to  depart, 

i  That,  having  bathed  and  gratified  thine  heart,        310 

*  Thou  to  thy  ship  may'st  with  a  present  go 
'  Rejoicing,  very  precious,  beautiful, 

'A  keepsake,  such  as  hosts  to  loved  guests  give.' 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  goddess,  answered  him  : 
'  Stay  me  not  now  when  eager  to  depart,  315 

'  As  to  the  gift  which  thy  kind  mind  suggests, 
'  Give  it  on  my  return  to  carry  home, 
'  And  I  will  give  one  worthy  of  exchange.' 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  spake  and  sped  away, 
Swift  as  an  eagle  flies  ;  and  in  his  heart  320 

Put  strength  and  courage,  calling  to  his  mind, 


12  THE    ODYSSEY. —BOOK    I. 

More  than  before,  his  father;  and  he  thought 
Admiringly,  and  deemed  it  was  a  god. 
Then  to  the  suitors  went  the  god-like  man. 

To  them  a  bard  was  singing,  of  renown.  325 

They  sate  and  listened  silently,  while  he 
Was  hymning  the  return  of  Greeks  from  Troy, 
Which  Pallas  had  decreed  should  mournful  be. 
From  her  high  chamber  heard  the  song  divine 
Icarius'  daughter,  wise  Penelope, 
And  on  the  lofty  stair,  but  not  alone,  330 

Came  down  ;  two  maidens  followed  in  her  steps. 
When  to  the  suitors  came  the  noble  dame, 
She  by  a  column  of  the  well-wrought  roof 
Stood  with  a  shining  kerchief  o'er  her  cheeks, 
While  on  each  side  a  modest  maiden  stood,  335 

And  weeping  thus  the  bard  divine  addressed  : 

*  0  Phemius  !  thou  knowest  other  songs 

1  Which  mortals  charm,  the  deeds  of  Gods  and  men, 
1  Which  bards  recite  :  sit  there  and  sing  them  one 
1  Of  those,  and  let  them  listen,  as  they  drink  340 

*  Their  wine  ;  but  cease  from  this  lugubrious  song, 
1  Which  always  vexes  in  this  breast  my  heart ; 

1  For  on  me  comes  my  unforgotten  grief. 

*  So  long  I  for,  and  in  my  mem'ry  hold 

*  That  man  whose  fame  o'er  Greece  and  Argos  spreads.' 

The  wise  Telemachus  in  answer  said  :  345 

'  Mother  !  why  grudgest  thou  the  much  loved  bard 

*  To  charm  us  at  his  will  1  for  not  the  bards 
'  Are  to  be  blamed,  but  Jove  is  blameable, 

1  Who  gives  inventive  men  whate'er  he  wills. 

1  To  him  no  blame  who  sings  the  Grecians'  fate.        350 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    I.  13 

'  Men  on  that  song  confer  the  most  renown 
'  Which  is  the  newest  to  them  as  they  hear. 

*  Ulysses  not  alone  lost  his  return 

*  In  Troy ;  for  many  other  men  have  died.  355 

*  Enter  the  house,  and  thine  own  works  control, 
1  The  loom  and  distaff,  and  command  thy  maids 

*  To  ply  their  tasks.     Speech  is  the  part  of  men, 
'And  specially  of  him  who  rules  the  house.' 

She  wond'ring  went  again  within  the  house,         360 
And  pondered  in  her  mind  her  son's  wise  speech. 
With  maids  attendant,  to  the  upper  room 
She  climbed,  and  there  her  husband  dear  bewailed, 
Till  on  her  eyes  sweet  sleep  Minerva  shed. 
The  suitors  shouted  through  the  shady  halls,  g& 

And  they  all  prayed  to  lie  beside  her  couch. 
To  them  the  wise  Telemachus  began  : 

*  Ye  suitors  of  my  mother  !  haughty  !  proud  ! 
'  Let  us  enjoy  the  feast ;  let  clamour  cease. 

1  'Tis  good  that  we  should  listen  to  a  bard  370 

1  Like  this,  an  equal  to  the  gods  in  voice. 

1  Let  us  to-morrow  in  a  council  sit, 

'  That  I  may  fearlessly  command  you  all 

*  To  leave  this  house.     Go,  look  for  other  feasts, 

1  Consuming  your  own  goods  from  house  to  house  ;  375 

'  But,  if  it  seems  to  you  a  better  thing 

'  That  one  man's  substance  perish  unavenged, 

'  Waste  it  !  but  I  th'  immortal  gods  will  pray 

'  That  Jove  may  grant  these  deeds  to  be  repaid, 

1  And  in  this  house  ye  unavenged  may  die.'  380 

He  spake  :  they  all,  with  teeth  fixed  in  their  lips, 
Admired  what  boldly  spoke  Telemachus. 


14  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    I. 

Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  replied  : 
1  Thee,  0  Telemachus !  the  gods  themselves 
4  Teach  to  be  proud  and  confident  in  speech.  385 

'  Never  in  sea-girt  Ithaca  may  Jove 
1  Make  thee  the  king,  by  thy  paternal  right  ! ' 
V  Prudent  Telemachus  again  replied  : 
4  Wilt  thou,  Antinous,  at  what  I  say 
4  Be  angry  I     This,  if  Jove  would  grant,  I  wish.        390 

*  Dost  thou  think  this  the  worst  thing  among  men  ? 
4  'Tis  no  bad  thing  to  govern.     A  king's  house 

*  Is  rich,  and  he  is  honoured  above  all. 
4  Yet  many  other  Grecian  princes  are 

4  In  sea-girt  Ithaca,  both  young  and  old.  395 

*  Let  one  of  them  take  this,  since  now  is  dead 

*  Divine  Ulysses.     I  will  be  the  king 

1  Of  our  own  house,  and  of  the  servants  whom 
4  Divine  Ulysses  as  a  booty  gained.' 
Eurymachus,  the  son  of  Polybus, 
Eeplied :  '  Telemachus  !  these  things  are  laid  400 

4  In  the  gods'  lap,  who  of  the  Greeks  shall  reign 
4  In  sea-girt  Ithaca.     Do  thou  retain 

*  Thine  own  possessions,  and  thine  own  house  rule. 
1  Ne'er  may  the  man  come  who  against  thy  will 

'  May  rob  thee,  while  men  dwell  in  Ithaca  ! 

'  But,  friend  !  I  wish  to  ask  about  the  guest :  405 

4  Whence  is  this  man  1  from  what  land  does  he  boast 

4  To  be  1  what  race  1  what  his  paternal  soil  1 

4  Brings  he  a  message  of  thy  coming  sire, 

4  Or  comes  he  seeking  objects  of  his  own1? 

4  He  rushed  away,  and  stayed  not  to  be  known,       410 

1  Resembling  no  mean  man  in  countenance.' 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    I.  15 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied : 
*  Euryruachus  !  my  sire's  return  is  lost ; 
'  No  tidings  can  I  trust  that  he  will  come, 
1  Nor  heed  what  soothsaying  my  mother  seeks,        415 
'  When  she  invites  some  prophet  to  the  house. 
1  Friend  of  my  father  and  myself,  the  guest, 
'  Mentes,  from  Taphos  comes,  and  boasts  to  be 
'  Son  of  Anchialus,  well-skilled  in  war  ; 
'  And  o'er  the  Taphian  mariners  he  rules.' 

So  spake  Telemachus,  but  in  his  mind  420 

Th'  immortal  goddess  knew .     They  to  the  dance 
And  to  the  charming  song  delighted  turned, 
And  stayed  till  ev'ning  came  and  on  them  there, 
Still  revelling,  the  dusky  ev'ning  came. 
Then  each  went  home  with  purpose  of  repose. 
Telemachus,  whose  lofty  chamber  was  425 

Built  in  the  hall,  a  place  seen  far  around, 
Went  to  his  couch  with  many  thoughts  and  cares. 
Euryclea,  skilled  housekeeper,  brought  lights, 
Daughter  of  Ops,  who  was  Peisenor's  son. 
Her  with  his  wealth  Laertes  bought  of  yore,  4.30 

Yet  in  her  prime,  and  twenty  oxen  gave. 
Her  he  respected  like  his  own  good  wife, 
Shunning  whose  wrath  he  went  not  to  her  couch. 
The  flaming  torch  she  bore  ;  of  all  the  maids 
She  loved  him  most,  and  nursed  him  when  a  babe.  435 
He  opened  then  the  well-made  chamber  doors, 
And  sitting  on  the  couch  he  doffed  his  vest, 
And  placed  it  in  the  careful  matron's  hands. 
The  vest  she  smoothed,  and  folded  up  and  hung 
Upon  a  peg  beside  the  well-turned  bed,  440 


16  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    II. 

And  from  the  chamber  went :  the  door  she  closed 
With, silver  ring  and  with  a  thong-tied  bolt. 
There,  covered  with  a  fleece  of  wool,  all  night 
He  deeply  thought  on  what  Minerva  said. 


BOOK     II. 


When  new-born  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 

Ulysses'  dear  son  from  his  couch  up-sprang ; 

Dressed,  and  his  sharp  sword  o'er  his  shoulder  placed, 

Bound  his  fair  sandals  on  his  shining  feet, 

And  from  his  chamber  like  a  god  came  forth.  5 

Forthwith  the  loud-voiced  heralds  he  desired 

To  call  to  council  all  the  long-haired  Greeks  : 

They  called  them,  and  they  all  assembled  quick. 

When  gath'ring  they  in  full  assembly  were, 

He  to  the  council  went,  and  in  his  hand  10 

He  held  a  brazen  jav'lin  ;  not  alone, 

For  two  swift  dogs  accompanied  his  steps. 

A  grace  divine  Minerva  o'er  him  shed  ; 

And  as  he  went  the  people  all  admired. 

He  took  his  father's  seat :  old  men  gave  way. 

Egyptius,  the  hero,  then  began,  15 

Bowed  down  by  age  and  knowing  many  things ; 

For  with  divine  Ulysses  his  dear  son 

Went  in  the  hollow  ships  to  well-horsed  Troy, 

The  warlike  Antiphus ;  him  Cyclops  fierce 

Slew  in  the  cave,  and  feasted  on  him  last.  20 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    II.  17 

Three  more  there  were  ;  one  joined  the  suitors'  band, 

Eurynomus  ;  two  tilled  their  father's  fields. 

Still  in  deep  grief  he  ne'er  forgot  his  son ; 

So,  shedding  tears,  he  thus  harangued  and  said  : 

'  Listen,  ye  Ithacans  !  to  what  I  say.  25 

1  Nor  council  nor  assembly  has  there  been 

*  Since  in  his  hollow  ships  Ulysses  went. 

1  Who  calls  us  now  1  on  whom  comes  so  much  need, 

*  Or  of  the  older  or  the  younger  men  1 

1  What  tidings  of  the  army  has  he  heard,  30 

*  Which,  first  to  learn,  he  may  reveal  to  us  1 
'  What  public  news  does  he  declare  and  tell  1 

*  He  must  be  good ;  may  he  be  gratified  ! 

1  Jove  grant  him  all  the  purpose  of  his  mind  ! ' 

He  spake ;  at  th'  omen  joyed  Ulysses'  son,  35 

Nor  long  he  sate,  for  he  desired  to  speak. 

In  the  mid  concourse  of  the  crowd  he  stood. 

A  herald,  well  in  prudent  counsels  skilled, 

Peisenor,  placed  a  sceptre  in  his  hands. 

The  old  man  touching  first,  he  thus  began  :  40 

1  Old  man  !  he  is  not  far,  as  thou  shalt  see, 

'  For  it  is  I  who  have  the  council  called. 

'  On  me  the  most  of  all  has  sorrow  come. 

'  No  tidings  of  the  army  have  I  heard, 

'Which,  first  to  learn,  I  may  reveal  to  you  ; 
/ Nor  public  news  do  I  declare  and  tell : 

'  Mine  is  the  need,  for  ill  befalls  my  house,  45 

'  Doubly,  for  I  a  father  good  have  lost, 

*  King  of  you  all,  and  as  a  father  mild. 

'  Now  there  is  e'en  a  greater  ill,  which  soon 

*  My  house  will  ruin,  and  my  substance  waste. 


18  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    il. 

4  Suitors  invade  my  mother  'gainst  her  will,  50 

*  Sons  of  tho  men  who  aro  tho  noblost  hore, 
4  Who  are  reluctant  that  she  should  return 
'  Unto  her  father's  house,  Icarius, 

4  Who  would  endow  his  daughter,  and  betroth 
'To  whom  sho  will,  and  who  comos  most  preferred. 
4  Our  palace  they  frequenting  ev'ry  day,  55 

'  And  slaving  oxen,  sheep,   and  fatted  goats, 

*  Upon  them  feast,  and  drink  the  sparkling  wine. 

*  Mueh  wanton  waste  is  made,  nor  is  there  one, 

*  Such  as  Ulysses,  from  our  house  to  drive 

*  The  woo,  which  we  are  powerless  to  do  ;  Co 

*  Klse  were  we  pitiful  and  spiritless. 

4  1  would  repel  them,  if  I  had  tho  power, 
4  For  deeds  no  longer  io  he  borne  are  done. 
1  My  house  is  desolated ;  ye  yourselves 

*  Should  be  indignant,  and  feel  shame  bofore  to 

*  Those  who  dwell  near.     Dread  too  the  wrath  of  Gods, 

*  Lest  (hey  turn  angry  round  on  these  base  deeds. 

*  Olympian  Jove  and  Themis  I  invoke, 

*  For  sho  dissolves  men's  councils  and  convenes. 

*  Hold,  friends  !  and  lot  mo  pine  alone  in  grief ;         70 

*  Unless  it  be  indeed  that  my  good  sire, 

*  Ulysses,  e'er  wrought  evil  to  the  Greeks  : 
4  Then  in  requital  do  these  hostile  deeds, 

*  And  urge  the  suitors  on.     'Twere  best  for  me 

4  That  ye  should  eat  my  goods  and  revenues  ;  7~> 

1  For  if  ye  did  there  soon  would  be  revenge, 
4  And  through  the  city  1  would  urge  my  plea, 
4  And  re  demand  my  goods  till  all  were  paid* 

*  Bat  now  ye  cause  me  woes  without  redress.) 


jiii;  OPTMBT. — BOOK  II.  1% 

He  spake  in  anger,  ami  upon  the  ground  &<) 

the   . ecptrc,  bursting  into  tears; 
And  pity  came  on  all  the  people  round. 
The  rest  in  silence  sate,  and  no  one  dared 
Answer  tin:  fierce  words  of  Telemachus. 
Antinous  alone  replied  and  said : 
'  I  -  I'iriachus  !  proud  speaker!  uncontrolled!  85 

'  What  hast  thou  said  to  shame  us?  thou  wouldst  fix 

ti  on  ns  ;  yet  in  no  re  »pect 
'  The  Grecian  suitors  should  be  blamed  by  th 
'  Thine  own  dear  crafty  mother  is  to  blame. 
'  'Tis  the  third  year,  and  soon  will  come  the  fourth, 
'  Since  she  misleads  the  hearts  and  minds  of  Greeks;  W) 
'  Gives  hope  to  all ;  gives  promises  to  each  ; 
'  Sends  messages ;  but  other  things  design*. 
'This  other  craft  she  in  her  mind  devised  ; 
f  Within  her  halls  a  web  she  fixed  and  wove, 
'  Fine,  beyond  measure  large  ;  and  said  to  us :  95 

'  "  Young  suitors !  since  Ulysses  now  is  dead, 

*  "  Delay  to  urge  my  marriage  on  me  till 

'  "  Tin  finish,  lest  my  threads  be  vain. 

'  "  For  brave  Laertes  'tis  a  winding  sheet, 

*  "  When  of  long-sleeping  death  the  fate  shall  come;  100 
'  "That  no  Greek  matron  may  indignant  be 
'"That  one  IjoiiI'1  die  without  a  shroud." 

'  This  said  she,  and  our  noble  mind  agneed 

'  She,  while  by  day  the  ample  web  she  wove, 

1  Unravelled  it  \>y  torch-light  in  (he  night.  |,,:' 

'Three  years  by  craft  sin;  thus  misled  the  Greeks; 
'  But  wImii  the  fourth  year  came  and  hours  went  on, 
'  One  of  her  women  told,  who  knew  it  well, 


20  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    II. 

'  And  her  we  found  unravelling  the  web  : 

'  So  she  completed  it  against  her  will.  HO 

1  Thus  answer  thee  the  suitors,  that  both  thou 

In  thine  own  mind,  and  all  the  Greeks  may  know. 
'  Thy  mother  send  away,  and  bid  her  wed 
'  Him  whom  her  father  bids  and  she  approves. 
1  If  she  shall  long  perplex  the  sons  of  Greece,  H5 

'  (Thinking  those  counsels  which  Minerva  gives, 

*  Skilful  in  beauteous  works  and  prudent  thoughts, 
'  And  in  such  wiles  as  never  have  we  heard 

'  Of  any  fair-haired  Greeks  who  lived  of  yore,  120 

'  Tyro,  Alcmene,  and  Mycene  fair, 

1  Who  had  no  deep  thoughts  like  Penelope  ; 

'  Yet  injudicious  was  this  thought  of  hers). 

«  Thy  goods  and  substance  they  will  still  consume, 

*  So  long  as  she  retains  the  mind  which  now 

*  The  Gods  plant  in  her  ;  bringing  to  herself  125 
1  Fame,  but  to  thee  regret  for  loss  of  wealth. 

1  Nor  to  our  fields  nor  elsewhere  will  we  go, 

*  Till  of  the  Greeks  she  marries  whom  she  will.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied  : 
1  Antinous  !  it  cannot  be  that  I  130 

'  Should  from  the  house  against  her  will  repel 
'  Her  who  gave  birth  to,  and  who  brought  me  up. 

*  Either  my  father  lives  in  other  lands, 

1  Or  he  is  dead.     Ill  would  it  be  for  me 

1  To  make  large  payments  to  Icarius, 

1  If  I  myself  my  mother  sent  away. 

'  For  from  my  father  I  shall  suffer  woes,  135 

1  And  God  will  others  add,  should  she  invoke 

*  The  hateful  Furies  when  she  goes  from  home  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    II.  21 

1  And  from  men  too  will  vengeance  come  ;  thus  I 

*  Will  never  utter  such  a  word  as  this. 

*  If  for  these  things  thy  mind  has  any  awe, 

*  Go  from  my  house,  and  look  for  other  feasts, 

*  Consuming  your  own  goods  from  house  to  house.  140 
'  But,  if  it  seems  to  you  a  better  thing 

*  That  one  man's  substance  perish  unavenged,     j|  y 
1  Waste  it,  and  T  th'  immortal  gods  will  pray      j         / 

'  That  Jove  may  grant  these  deeds  to  be  repaid!'    i/N^ 
'  And  in  the  house  you  unavenged  may  die.'      |  r    l45 

So  spake  Telemachus  :  wide-thand'ring  Jove 
Sent  forth  two  eagles  from  a  mountain  top, 
Who  flew  awhile,  swift  as  the  gales  of  wind, 
Near  to  each  other,  stretching  out  their  wings. 
When  to  the  noisy  forum's  midst  they  came,  150 

Shaking  their  wings  they  often  wheeled  around, 
Looked  on  the  heads  of  all,  and  boded  death  ; 
Then,  clawing  one  another's  cheeks  and  necks, 
Rushed  through  the  roofs  and  city  to  the  right. 
Men  wondered  as  upon  the  birds  they  gazed,  155 

And  in  their  minds  mused  how  these  things  would  end. 

To  them  th'  old  hero,  Alitherses,  spoke, 
From  Mastor  sprung :  for  he  alone  excelled 
His  equals,  birds  to  know  and  fates  foretell ; 
Who,  wishing  well  to  them,  harangued  and  said  :     160 
'  Now  listen,  Ithacans  !  to  what  I  say, 
'  And  to  the  suitors  specially  declare. 

*  A  mighty  woe  rolls  o'er  them ;  for  not  long 
1  Ulysses  will  be  from  his  friends  apart, 

1  But  even  now  is  near,  and  for  them  all 

'  Is  planning  death  and  fate  ;  and  wToes  shall  come  1G5 


22  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    II. 

'  On  us  who  dwell  in  sunny  Ithaca. 
'  Let  us  consult  to  stay  it  ere  it  comes. 

*  Let  them  forthwith  desist ;  'tis  best  for  them. 

'  Not  inexpert  but  skilled  I  prophesy.  170 

1 1  say  that  all  is  now  to  him  fulfilled, 

'  As  I  had  told  him,  when  the  Greeks  for  Troy 

1  Embarked,  and  wise  Ulysses  with  them  went  ; 

'  That,  having  suffered  much,  lost  all  his  friends, 

1  He  unexpected,  in  the  twentieth  year,  175 

'  Would  home  return :  which  all  is  now  fulfilled.' 

Eurymachus,  the  son  of  Poly  bus, 
Replied  :  *  Old  man  !  go  home  and  prophesy 
1  To  thine  own  children  lest  they  suffer  wrong. 
'  Herein  I  better  prophet  am  than  thou.  180 

'  Many  birds  fly  beneath  the  sun ;  not  all 
'  Are  sent  by  fate  ;  far  off  Ulysses  died  ; 
'  I  would  that  thou  hadst  also  died  with  him, 
'  So  wouldst  thou  not  have  told  such  prophecies, 
'  Nor  thus  have  roused  Telemachus  to  wrath,  135 

1  Looking  that  some  gift  to  thine  house  he  make. 
'  But  this  I  tell  thee,  and  it  shall  be  done ; 
'  Shouldst  thou,  who  knowest  many  ancient  things, 
'  Cheat  and  excite  a  younger  man  to  rage, 

*  First  it  shall  be  more  grievous  to  himself,  190 
4  [Nor  in  his  object  shall  he  have  success.] 

1  On  thee,  old  man !  we  will  a  fine  impose, 

'  Hard  to  be  paid  ;  and  bitterly  thou  'It  grieve. 

'  I  publicly  advise  Telemachus 

1  To  bid  his  mother  to  her  sire  return.  195 

'  They  will  arrange  the  marriage,  fix  the  dower 

'  Which  a  dear  child's  espousal  should  attend. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    II.  23 

*  T  deem  not  that  the  Grecians  will  desist 

'  From  their  stern  courtship  :  no  one  do  we  fear, 

*  Not  e'en  Telemachus,  though  full  of  words.  200 

*  Nor  need  we  prophecies,  which  thou,  old  man  ! 

*  Speakest  in  vain,  and  shalt  be  hated  more. 
1  Still  shall  his  goods  be  eaten,  nor  be  made 

*  Any  equivalent  to  him,  so  long 

*  As  to  the  Greeks  her  marriage  she  delays.  205 

*  We'll  wait,  and  for  pre-eminence  contend, 

*  Nor  seek  another  wife  whom  each  may  wed.' 
^The  wise.  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 

*  Eurymachus  !  and  noble  suitors  all ! 

'  No  more  will  I  entreat  you  or  address ;  210 

'  These  things  the  Gods  and  all  the  Greeks  know  well. 

*  But  give  me  a  swift  ship  and  twenty  men, 

'  Who  here  and  there  a  voyage  may  perform. 

'  To  Sparta  and  to  sandy  rylos  I 

'  Will  go,  inquiring  what  I  there  may  learn 

'  Of  the  return  of  my  long  absent  sire,  215 

1  If  any  man  can  tell  me,  or  T  hear 

*  A  voice  from  Jove  which  brings  report  to  men. 

*  If  tidings  of  his  life  or  his  return 

*  I  get,  I  would,  though  grieved,  remain  a  year. 

*  But  if  that  he  is  dead  nor  more  in  life  220 
'  I  learn,  to  my  dear  country  I  '11  return, 

*  Will  build  a  tomb  and  pay  fit  funeral  rites, 
'  And  to  a  husband  will  my  mother  give.V/ 

He  spake  and  took  his  seat.     To  them  arose 
Mentor,  illustrious  Ulysses'  friend,  225 

Who  trusted  him,  when  in  the  ship  he  went, 
With  all  his  household,  that  they  should  obey 


24  THE   ODYSSEY. —BOOK    II. 

The  old  man's  words,  and  safely  guard  his  goods : 
"Who,  wishing  -well  to  them,  harangued  and  said  : 
fl*  Now  listen,  Ithacans !  to  what  I  say  : 
1  Henceforth  let  never  sceptre -bearing  king  230 

'  Strive  to  be  gentle,  mild,  and  well-disposed  : 
'  Let  him  be  stern,  and  cruel  deeds  commit, . 

*  Since  none  of  those  o'er  whom  he  reigned  recalls 
c  How  kind  a  sire  divine  Ulysses  was. 

*  Yet  to  the  noble  suitors  grudge  I  not  235 

*  To  do  in  folly  works  of  violence  : 

'  Risking  their  own  heads,  forcibly  they  eat 

'  Ulysses'  goods,  nor  think  he  will  return. 

'  Yet  with  the  rest  I  am  enraged  ;  for  ye 

'  Sit  silently,  and  check  not  by  your  words  240 

*  The  suitors  few,  while  ye  so  many  are//'' 

Leiocritus,  Euenor's  son,  replied  :        * 
'  What,  Mentor !  baneful,  foolish,  hast  thou  said, 

*  Urging  to  check  us?  *t  would  be  difficult 

'  E'en  for  more  men  to  fight  with  us  for  food.  245 

*  Should  Ithacan  Ulysses  come  himself, 

*  And  in  his  mind  desire  to  drive  away 

1  The  noble  suitors  feasting  in  his  house, 

1  His  wife,  however  she  may  long  for  him, 

1  Would  not  rejoice,  because  to  dreadful  death, 

1  Even  with  more  to  help  him,  he  would  yield.  250 

'  What  thou  hast  said  is  contrary  to  fate. 

*  But  come,  ye  people  !  to  your  fields  disperse. 
1  Mentor  and  Alitherses  will  promote 

'  This  voyage,  his  paternal  friends  of  old ; 

1  But  he,  I  ween,  in  Ithaca  will  sit  255 

'  And  hear  reports,  but  not  this  voyage  make/ 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    II.  25 

He  spake,  and  quick  th'  assembly  he  dissolved, 
And  to  their  own  abodes  they  each  dispersed  : 
But  to  Ulysses'  house  the  suitors  went. 
To  the  shore  went  Telemachus  apart,  2G0 

And,  in  the  white  sea  having  washed  his  hands, 
Prayed  to  Minerva  :  '  Hear  me,  Goddess  !  thou 

*  Who  to  our  palace  yesterday  didst  come, 

1  And  badst  me  sail  upon  the  cloud-streaked  sea 
1  To  ask  about  my  absent  sire's  return  ; 

*  But  now  the  Greeks  are  baffling  all  these  plans,     265 
1  And  specially  the  suitors,  basely  proud.' 

He  spake  in  prayer :  Minerva  near  him  came, 
To  Mentor  likened,  both  in  form  and  voice, 
And  thus  addressed  him  with  her  winged  words : 
'  Telemachus  !  nor  base  nor  senseless  thou  270 

'  Shalt  be  hereafter :  for  thy  father's  force 
4  Is  shed  upon  thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  such 
'  As  he  was  to  complete  both  deed  and  word. 

*  Thy  journey  shall  nor  vain  nor  fruitless  be. 

*  If  son  of  him  and  of  Penelope 

*  Thou  wert  not,  I  should  never  hope  that  thou       275 
1  Couldst  do  the  deeds  which  thou  art  fain  to  do. 

*  Sons  of  their  fathers  few  the  equals  are, 

*  Inferior  most,  and  better  very  few. 

1  But  since  nor  base  nor  foolish  thou  shalt  be, 

*  And  since  Ulysses'  prudence  fails  thee  not, 

*  There  's  hope  for  thee  these  deeds  to  execute.         280 

*  As  to  the  foolish  suitors,  let  alone 

*  Their  counsel  and  device  :  nor  wise  nor  just 

'  Are  they,  nor  know  of  death  and  gloomy  fate 

*  Approaching  on  the  day  when  all  will  die. 


2Q  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    11. 

i  Thy  wished  for  voyage  shall  not  be  deferred,  285 

1  For  such  hereditary  friend  I  am, 

'  Who  will  equip  a  ship  and  go  myself. 

*  Go  to  the  house,  and  with  the  suitors  mix  : 
'  Supplies  prepare,  in  baskets  store  them  all, 

1  And  wine  in  jars,  and  meal,  the  life  of  men,  290 

-  In  well-sewn  skins  ;  and  through  the  district  I 

-  Will  willing  friends  collect ;  and  many  ships 
1  There  are  in  Ithaca,  both  new  and  old, 

'  And  them  I  will  inspect  to  find  the  best ; 

-  Will  quick  equip  and  launch  it  in  the  sea.'  295 

Thus  spoke  Minerva,  child  of  Jove,  nor  long, 
Hearing  her  voice,  Telemachus  remained, 
But  to  the  house  with  grieving  heart  he  went. 
The  noble  suitors  in  the  halls  he  found 
Flaying  the  goats  and  feasting  on  fat  swine. 
Antinous  straight  laughingly  approached 
Telemachus,  and  took  his  hand  and  said  : 
l<  '  Telemachus  !  proud  speaker  !  unrestrained  ! 

*  Let  no  more  evil  deeds  or  words  perplex 

-  Thy  breast,  but  eat  and  drink  as  heretofore.^ " 
'  The  Greeks  will  all  provide  a  ship  and  men/* 

*  That  swift  to  sacred  Pylos  thou  mayst  g<W? 

*  To  seek  for  tidings  of  thy  noble  sir^ey       ^^ 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied  : 

*  Antinous  !  it  cannot  be  that  I  310.^ 

*  Should  feast  with  you  so  proud  against  my  will, 
■  Nor  revel  calmly.     Is  it  not  enough, 

1  Ye  suitors  !  that  ye  have  consumed  my  goods, 

*  Many  and  fair,  while  I  was  yet  a  child  1 

-  But  now  that  I  'm  a  man,  and  seek  to  know 


THE   ODYSSET. BOOK   II.  27 

1  The  thoughts  of  others,  and  my  mind  's  enlarged,  315 

1  111  fates  upon  you  I  will  strive  to  hurl, 

1  To  Pylos  going  or  remaining  here. 

1  I'll  go  a  passenger,  (nor  vain  shall  be 

1  The  journey  I  propose),  not  of  a  ship 

'  Nor  rowers  master,  since  ye  deem  it  best.'  320 

He  spake,  and  quickly  from  Antinous 
His  hand  withdrew.      The  suitors  through  the  house 
Feasted,  and  taunted  him  with  cutting  words  ; 
And  thus  spake  one  of  th'  overbearing  youths  : 
1  Surely  Telemachus  plots  death  for  us.  325 

1  Either  from  sandy  Pylos  he  will  bring 
1  Allies,  or  Sparta ;  such  his  eager  wish. 
1  Or  to  the  fertile  soil  of  Ephyra 

*  He  means  to  go,  and  deadly  poisons  bring, 

'  And  put  them  in  the  cups  and  slay  us  all. '  330 

Thus  spake  another  of  the  haughty  youths  : 

*  Who  knows  but  in  the  hollow  ships  himself, 
'  Far  from  his  friends,  he  may  a  wand'rer  die, 
1  As  died  Ulysses  %    Yet  he  would  increase, 

*  If  so,  our  toil ;  for  we  must  then  divide 

1  His  goods  and  houses,  and  bestow  them  on  335 

f  His  mother,  and  on  him  who  her  may  wed.' 

They  spake  :  he  to  his  father's  chamber  went, 
High-roof'd  and  wide,  where  heaped-up  gold  and  brass 
'  Were  lying  \  vests  in  boxes ;  fragrant  oil ; 
And  there  stood  casks  of  old  wine,  sweet  to  drink,  340 
Containing  liquor,  pure,  divine,  within, 
Ranged  by  the  wall ;  to  wait  if  e'er  should  come 
Ulysses  homeward,  suff'ring  many  woes. 
Close  bars  were  o'er  them,  fitted  skilfully, 


28  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    II. 

Doubly«secured.     The  housekeeper  was  there  345 

By  night  and  day,  and  carefully  kept  watch, 

Euryclea,  sprung  from  Ops,  Peisenor's  son. 

Her,  summoning,  Telemachus  addressed  : 

1  Good  nurse  !  come  pour  me  into  jars  sweet  wine, 

'  Best  flavoured  next  to  that  which  thou  dost  keep  350 

*  For  that  ill-fated  man,  if  e'er  he  comes, 

*  Divine  Ulysses,  'scaping  death  and  fate. 

4  Fill  twelve,  and  fit  them  all  with  covers  close ; 

4  And  store  up  meal  for  me  in  well-sewn  skins  ; 

4  Let  there  be  twenty  pecks  of  mill-ground  meal.      355 

4  Be  here  alone  :  let  all  be  throughly  done, 

4  For  in  the  ev'ning  I  shall  take  them,  when 

*  My  mother  to  her  chamber  climbs  for  sleep. 
'  To  Sparta  and  to  sandy  Pylos  I 

4  News  of  my  sire's  return  will  go  to  seek.'  300 

He  spake  :  Euryclea,  his  dear  nurse,  moan'd, 
And  weeping  answered  with  these  winged  words : 
'  Why,  dear  child  !  rises  in  thy  mind  this  thought  1 
4  Why  o'er  much  country  dost  thou  wish  to  go, 
4  A  dear  one  left  alone  1  afar  from  home  365 

*  Divine  Ulysses  in  a  foreign  land 

'  Has  perished :  afterwards,  when  thou  art  gone, 
4  They  will  plan  evils  for  thee,  by  their  craft 
4  To  die ;  and  they  will  all  these  things  divide. 
4  Stay  in  thine  own  house ;  thee  it  ill  befits 

*  To  stray  and  suffer  on  the  barren  sea.'  370  » 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  her  replied  :  (^ 

,Take  heart,  dear  nurse  l(not  without  God  this  plan.) 
Swear  not  to  tell  it  to  my  mother  dear, 
4  Till  the  eleventh  or  twelfth  day  shall  come, 


/ 


/ 


* 


/ 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   II. 


*  Unless  she  pines  for  me,  or  learns  my  flight;^"      375 
1  Lest  her  fair  skin  she  injure  by  her  tears.'^^ 

He  spake  :  the  old  dame  sware  God's  mighty  oath. 
When  she  had  sworn  and  made  the  oath  complete, 
Into  the  jars  forthwith  she  drew  the  wine, 
And  stored  the  meal  up  in  the  well-sewn  skins.        380 
Then  with  the  suitors  sat  Telemachus. 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  then  had  other  thoughts. 
Like  to  Telemachus,  throughout  the  town 
She  went  and,  standing  by,  each  man  addressed, 
And  bade  them  meet  at  evening  near  the  ship.         385 
Then  of  Noemon,  Phronius'  noble  son, 
She  asked  a  ship,  which  willingly  he  gave. 
The  sun  was  setting,  and  the  streets  were  dark, 
When  to  the  sea  the  swift  ship  down  she  drew, 
Put  tackle  in,  which  well-benched  vessels  bear,        390 
And  at  the  port's  mouth  moored  it :  the  good  crew 
Collected  thick,  for  each  the  Goddess  urged. 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  then  had  other  thoughts. 
She  hasted  to  divine  Ulysses'  house, 
And  drowsiness  upon  the  suitors  poured  ;  395 

Confused  them  drinking;  from  their  hands  struck  down 
Their  cups.     They  hasted  to  the  town  to  sleep, 
Nor  longer  sate,  for  sleep  fell  on  their  eyes. 

Minerva  then  Telemachus  addressed, 
And  from  the  well-built  palace  called  him  forth,      400 
In  guise  of  Mentor,  both  in  form  and  voice  : 
1  Telemachus  !  e'en  now  thy  well-greaved  friends 
1  Sit  at  their  oars  and  wait  for  thy  approach. 
1  Come  !  let  us  go,  nor  linger  on  the  road.' 

Pallas  Minerva  spake  and  led  the  way  405 


30  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    II. 

With  speed,  and  in  the  Goddess'  steps  he  went. 
When  to  the  ship  and  to  the  sea  they  came, 
They  found  his  long-haired  crew  upon  the  shore  ; 
And  of  Telemachus  the  sacred  force 
Addressed  them  thus  :  '  Come  friends !  and  let  us  bring 
1  The  stores,  for  all  are  ready  in  the  house  ;  410 

'  Nor  have  my  mother  or  the  servants  heard 
*  Of  this  :  one  only  has  my  purpose  learned.' 

He  spake,  and  led  the  way :  they  followed  him, 
Bringing  the  stores,  which  in  the  well-benched  ship, 
As  had  desired  Ulysses'  son,  they  placed.  415 

Telemachus  embarked,  Minerva  led, 
And  in  the  stern  sate  down  ;  and  near  her  sate 
Telemachus,  and  they  the  stern-ropes  loosed, 
And  by  the  rowing-benches  went  and  sate. 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  sent  a  fav'ring  gale,  420 

Fair  Zephyr,  sounding  o'er  the  purple  sea. 
Telemachus  urged  on  the  crew,  and  bade 
The  tackling  fix ;  he  urged  and  they  obeyed. 
The  fir- wood  mast  they  raised  and  fixed  within 
The  hollow  socket,  and  made  fast  with  ropes,  425 

And  drew  the  white  sails  up  with  well -twined  thongs. 
The  wind  the  main-sail  filled  ;  the  purple  wave 
On  the  keel  sounded  as  the  ship  sped  on 
And  through  the  wave  ran,  hasting  on  its  way. 
When  they  had  lashed  the  tackling  on  the  ship,     430 
They  held  up  goblets  brimming  o'er  with  wine, 
And  to  th'  immortal,  everlasting  Gods 
Libation  made,  and,  chiefest  of  them  all, 
To  her,  the  blue-eyed  child  of  Jove.     The  ship 
Through  night  and  early  dawn  pursued  its  way. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III.  31 


BOOK     III. 

Leaving  the  beauteous  sea,  up-rose  the  sun 

Into  the  brazen  sky,  to  light  the  Gods, 

And  mortal  men  upon  the  fertile  earth. 

To  Pylos,  Neleus'  well-built  town,  they  came. 

They  on  the  shore  were  ofF'ring  sacrifice,  5 

Black  bulls  to  Neptune,  shaker  of  the  earth. 

There  were  nine  seats :  on  each  five  hundred  sate, 

And  held  in  front  of  each  of  them  nine  bulls. 

The  entrails  they  had  tasted,  burnt  the  thighs 

To  God,  when  these  were  landing.     In  the  ship 

They  furled  the  sails,  drew  up,  and  disembarked.       10 

Telemachus  came  forth  :  Minerva  led, 

And  him  the  blue-eyed  Goddess  first  addressed  : 

*  Telemachus  !  no  cause  of  slightest  shame 

*  To  thee  who  o'er  the  sea  hast  sailed  to  hear  15 
1  What  land  conceals  thy  sire,  what  fate  he  met. 

*  Go  straight  to  Nestor,  tamer  of  the  horse, 

'  To  know  what  counsel  in  his  breast  he  hides, 
f  [And  pray  that  he  will  tell  thee  all  the  truth  I 
\He  will  no  falsehood  tell  for  he  is  wise.]'^/  20 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  her  replied  ; 

*  How,  Mentor  !  can  I  go  1  how  him  address  1 
'  I  am  not  skilled  in  use  of  artful  words. 

*  It  shames  a  young. to  ask  an  older  map.' 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  spake  again  :  25 

*  Telemachus  !  some  thoughts  thyself  wilt  have, 

*  And  God  will  furnish  others  :  for  I  deem 

'  Thou  hast  been  born  and  bred  with  fav'ring  Gods.' 


32  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   III. 

Pallas  Minerva  spoke  and  led  the  way, 
While  quickly  he  the  Goddess'  steps  pursued.  30 

Th' assembled  Pylians  and  their  seats  they  reached, 
Where  with  his  sons  sate  Nestor  and  his  friends, 
Spitting  and  roasting  flesh  to  form  the  feast. 
All  came  in  crowds  when  they  the  strangers  saw. 
Saluted  with  their  hands  and  bade  them  sit. 
Pisistratus,  the  son  of  Nestor,  first 
I  Came  near,  took  hands  of  both,  and  at  the  feast 
On  the  sand  seated  them  on  fleeces  soft, 
By  Thrasymede  his  brother,  and  his  sire ; 
Gave  of  the  entrails  part,  and  poured  out  wine  40 

In  cup  of  gold,  and,  pledging,  thus  addressed 
Minerva,  child  of  aegis-bearing  Jove  : 
'  Guest !  to  king  Neptune  offer  up  a  prayer, 

*  For  coming  hither  in  his  feast  ye  share. 

'  When  thou  libation  and  due  prayer  hast  made,       45 

'  Then  give  to  him  the  cup  of  honeyed  wine 

1  To  make  libation  ;  for  I  deem  that  he 

'  Will  to  th'  immortals  pray ;  all  need  the  Gods. 

*  The  younger  he  ;  his  age  is  like  mine  own ; 

1  So  to  thee  first  I  give  the  golden  cup.'  50 

The  cup  of  sweet  wine  in  her  hand  he  placed  : 
Minerva  joyed  in  one  so  wise  and  just, 
Because  to  her  the  first  he  gave  the  cup 
Of  gold  ;  and  then  she  thus  to  Neptune  prayed  : 
1  Hear,  Neptune  !  thou  surrounder  of  the  earth  !       55 
'  Nor  grudge  to  ratify  the  prayer  we  make. 
1  First  glory  give  to  Nestor  and  his  sons  ; 

*  Then  next  to  all  the  other  Pylians  grant 

1  Gracious  return  for  this  famed  hecatomb. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   III.  33 

*  Grant  that  Telemachus  and  I  may  home,  G° 

■  In  our  black  ship,  our  object  gained,  return.' 

When  she  had  prayed  and  finished  all  the  rites, 
She  gave  Telemachus  the  beauteous  cup  ; 
And  in  like  words  Ulysses'  dear  son  prayed. 
When  they  the  flesh  had  roasted  and  drawn  off,        65 
Dividing  shares  they  ate  the  noble  feast.  ^ 

When  they  with  meat  and  Jlnn^wej^s^tisfied, 
Nestor,  Gerenian  horseman,  them  addressed : 
'  Now  is  the  fitter  time  to  seek  and  ask 

*  Of  guests,  when  pleased  with  feasting,  who  they  are.  70 

*  Who  are  ye,  guests  1  whence  come  ye  o'er  the  waves  1 
'  Come  ye  for  traffic,  or  mere  rovers  ye, 

'  As  pirates  wand'ring  o'er  the  sea,  who  risk 
'  Their  own  lives,  bringing  ill  to  foreigners'?' 

Prudent  Telemachus  thus  spoke  again,  75 

Courageous,  for  Minerva  in  his  mind 
Put  courage,  that  about  his  absent  sire 
He  should  inquire  [and  gain  renown  from  men]. 
1  Nestor  Neleides  !  glory  of  the  Greeks  ! 
'  Thou  askest  whence  we  are,  and  I  will  tell.  80 

■  From  Ithaca,  beneath  mount  Nemm, 

*  We  come ;  our  object  is  not  popular, 

*  But  it  is  private,  as  I  will  relate. 

'  I  come  to  seek,  if  I  perchance  may  hear, 
1  News  of  the  wide-spread  glory  of  my  sire, 
1  Patient,  divine  Ulysses ;  who,  they  say, 

*  Fighting  with  thee  destroyed  the  Trojan  town.        85 

*  Of  all  the  rest  who  'gainst  the  Trojans  fought 

'  We  hear  where  each  by  mournful  fate  has  died. 
'  But  Saturn's  son  has  made  his  death  unheard, 

T) 


34  THE    ODYSSEY.—  BOOK    III. 

1  For  none  can  clearly  tell  me  where  he  died ; 

1  Whether  on  land  by  hostile  men  destroyed,  90 

'  Or  in  the  sea  'mid  Amphitrite's  waves. 

*  So  to  thy  knees  I  come,  a  suppliant, 

'  If  thou  canst  tell  me  of  his  mournful  death  ; 

'  Hast  seen  it  with  thine  eyes,  or  heard  report 

'  Of  where  he  wanders  :  him  his  mother  bare  95 

'  Most  wretched,  f  Do  not  from  regard  to  me,         $*    *, 

1  Nor  from  compassion,  tell  me  honeyed  words^r    J?\ 

1  But  tell  me  true,  as  thou  hast  found  report?)      \y 

' 1  pray,  if  e'er  Ulysses,  my  good  sire, 

1  Has  helped  thee  to  accomplish  word  or  deed 

*  In  Troy,  where  ye  Achaeans  suffered  woes,  100 
'  These  for  my  sake  recall  and  tell  me  true.' 

Nestor,  Gerenian  horseman,  answered  him  : 
'  0  friend  !  thou  callest  to  my  mind  the  grief 
1  Which  we,  resistless  sons  of  Greece,  endured, 
'  Either  in  ships  upon  the  cloudy  sea,  105 

'  Wand 'ring  for  plunder  where  Achilles  led, 

*  Or  when  we  fought  round  Priam's  mighty  town, 
1  Where  many  of  our  chiefest  men  were  slain. 

*  There  warlike  Ajax,  there  Achilles  lies ; 

*  Patroclus  there,  an  equal  of  the  Gods  HO 
'  In  counsel ;  there  my  dear  son,  blameless,  brave, 

1  Antilochus,  swift  runner,  warrior. 

'  And  many  other  evils  we  endured  : 

'  But  who  of  mortals  could  narrate  them  all  1 

6  Not  if  for  five  years  thou  shouldst  stay  or  six,        118 

'  And  ask  what  evils  there  the  Greeks  endured  ; 

*  For  wearied  with  the  tale  thou  home  wouldst  go. 
'  Nine  years  we  were  with  varied  craft  employed, 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    III.  35 

*  And  evils  planned,  which  scarcely  Jove  at  last 

*  Performed.     There  no  one  ventured  to  compare    12° 

*  With  him  in  council ;  for  in  varied  craft 
1  God-like  Ulysses  far  surpassed  them  all, 

I  Thy  sire,  if  really  thou  his  offspring  art. 

I I  wonder  as  I  gaze  :  so  much  thy  words 

'  Resemble  his  ;  and  no  one  would  suppose 

*  So  young  a  man  so  suitably  would  speak.  125 
1  I  and  divine  Ulysses,  all  that  while, 

*  Nor  in  assembly  nor  in  council  spake 

*  Diversely,  but,  unanimous  in  thought 

*  And  plan,  devised  the  best  things  for  the  Greeks. 

'  When  Priam's  lofty  city  we  had  sacked,  130 

*  [We  sailed  away,  and  God  dispersed  the  Greeks.] 

*  Then  for  the  Greeks  Jove  planned  a  sad  return, 
'  Because  not  all  of  them  were  wise  and  just, 

*  And  many  of  them  fell  by  evil  fate, 

*  Caused  by  the  blue-eyed  goddess,  child  of  Jove,     135 
1  Who  'tween  the  two  Atridse  raised  a  strife. 

1  They  to  th'  assembly  summoned  all  the  Greeks, 

1  Reckless,  disorderly,  till  set  of  sun, 

'  (For  the  Greeks  came  to  it  weighed  down  by  wine) 

*  And  told  the  reason  why  they  summoned  them.    l*i0 

*  Then  Menelaus  ordered  all  the  Greeks 

'  To  plan  return  upon  the  broad  sea's  back. 

1  This  pleased  not  Agamemnon ;  he  desired 

1  To  stay  the  host,  give  sacred  hecatombs, 

1  And  so  Minerva's  dreadful  wrath  appease  :  145 

1  Unwise  !  nor  knowing  she  would  not  relent ; 

'  Slow  turns  the  mind  of  the  immortal  gods. 

*  Thus  stood  the  two,  exchanging  angry  words. 


36  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    III. 

'  With  dreadful  shout  the  well-greaved  Greeks  arose, 
1  And  diff'rent  were  the  plans  which   pleased   their 
minds.  150 

c  At  night  we  rested,  meditating  thoughts 

*  Ungentle  :  Jove  was  planning  baneful  fate. 

1  At  dawn  we  some  launched  ships  into  the  sea, 
'  Embarking  goods,  and  women  deeply -zoned  ; 

*  But  half  the  host  remained,  and  would  not  leave  155 
1  Atrides  Agamemnon,  king  of  men  : 

'  And  we,  the  other  half,  embarked  and  rowed  : 

4  And  very  quickly  sailed  the  ships,  while  God 

1  Had  tranquillised  the  great  gulf  of  the  sea. 

'  At  Tenedos  we  offered  to  the  Gods 

'  Victims,  as  homeward  bound  ;  but  our  return       160 

'  Jove,  unrelenting,  had  not  purposed  yet, 

'  And  evil  strife  a  second  time  stirred  up. 

'  Ulysses,  warlike,  prudent,  with  his  friends 

1  Back  from  the  voyage  turned  their  well-oared  ships, 

1  Siding  with  Agamemnon,  Atreus'  son. 

*  I,  with  the  ships  that  followed  closely,  fled,  165 
'  Knowing  the  ills  the  Gods  designed ;  and  fled 

1  Tydeus'  brave  son,  and  his  companions  urged. 

'  Late  after  us  fair  Menelaus  came, 

1  And  reached  at  Lesbos  :  we  a  long  course  planned, 

1  Either  above  rough  Chios  to  return  170 

6  By  Psyria's  isle  and  keep  it  to  the  left, 

'  Or  under  Chios  by  high  Mimas'  hill. 

'  We  prayed  the  God  to  shew  a  sign  ;  and  he 

'  Shewed  it,  and  bade  us  to  Eubcea's  isle 

'  Cleave  the  mid  sea,  and  sorrow  so  escape.  175 

'  Fair  rushed  the  breeze  that  blew;  the  ships  with  speed 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III.  37 

'  Ran  o'er  the  fishy  ways,  and  reached  at  night 
'  Gersestum  :  there  to  Neptune  many  thighs 
'  Of  bulls  we  gave,  for  we  had  passed  much  sea. 

*  It  was  the  fourth  day  when  their  equal  ships         180 
'  The  crew  of  Diomede,  of  Tydeus  son, 

*  The  tamer  of  the  horse,  in  Argos  moored. 

'  But  I  for  Pylos  sailed,  nor  failed  the  breeze 

'  Since  first  the  God  had  sent  it  forth  to  blow. 

1  Thus  without  news,  dear  child  !  I  came,  nor  knew 

1  Who  of  the  Argives  were  preserved,  who  died.        I85 

'  But  what,  while  sitting  in  my  house,  I  hear 

1  Thou  shalt  know  truly,  nor  will  I  conceal. 

1  They  say  the  warlike  Myrmidons  came  safe, 

'  Whom  the  famed  son  of  brave  Achilles  led ; 

1  Safe  Philoctetes,  Paean's  noble  son.  190 

'  Idomeneus  brought  all  his  friends  to  Crete, 

1  Who  'scaped  the  war,  nor  one  the  sea  destroyed. 

*  Of  Atreus'  son  ye,  though  remote,  have  heard, 

*  Both  how  he  came,  and  how  ^Egisthus  planned 

1  His  death,  for  which  he  shamefully  has  paid.         195 

1  How  good  it  is  that,  when  a  man  is  dead, 

'  His  son  survives ;  he  vengeance  wreaked  upon 

*  ^Egisthus,  murd'rer  of  his  noble  sire. 

'  [And  thou,  dear  youth  !  whom  fair  and  strong  I  see, 
'  Be  brave,  that  future  men  may  speak  of  thee.]'     20° 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied ; 
'  Nestor  Neleides  !  glory  of  the  Greeks  ! 

*  Well  he  avenged  his  father ;  and  the  Greeks  . 

*  Will  spread  his  name  for  future  men  to  hear. 

1  0  that  to  me  such  power  the  Gods  would  grant,    205 
'  To  pay  the  suitors  for  their  grievous  pride, 


\! 


38  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    III. 


'  Who  insolent  against  me  plan  foul  deeds  ! 

'  But  not  for  ine  such  bliss  the  Gods  have  planned, 

*  For  sire  nor  me ;  but  we  must  bear  our  fate.' 

Gerenian  horseman,  Nestor,  answered  him  :  21° 

'  My  friend !  these  things  thou  callest  to  my  mind. 
'  They  say  that  many  suitors  in  thine  halls, 
'  Wooing  thy  mother  in  despite  of  thee, 
'  Plot  evils.     Tell  me  if  thou  willingly 
■  Submitt'st  thyself,  or  if  th'  inhabitants 
'  Are  hostile,  and  obey  God's  oracle.  215 

'  Who  knows  but  he  their  insults  may  repay, 
'  Either  alone  or  joined  by  all  the  Greeks  1 
'  If  blue-eyed  Pallas  would  but  be  thy  friend, 

*  As  when  of  famed  Ulysses  she  took  care 

'  In  Troy,  where  many  woes  we  Greeks  endured,      22° 
'  (For  never  saw  I  Gods  so  plainly  show 
'  Their  love  as  when  Minerva  by  him  stood.) 
'  If  she  would  thus  befriend  thee  and  regard, 
'  Soon  each  of  them  the  marriage  would  forget.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied  :  225 

6  Old  man  !  thy  word,  I  think,  will  not  be  done  ; 
'  For  tjbou  hast  said  too  much,  to  my  surprise ; 
'  This,  though  the  Gods  might  will,  I  could  not  hope.' 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  goddess,  answered  him : 
'  Telemachus  !  what  word  has  now  escaped  230 

*  Thy  lips  1  a  God  who  wills  it  can  with  ease 
1  Protect  a  man,  though  distant  he  may  be. 

1  However  I  might  toil,  I  rather  would 

*  Go  to  my  country,  and  have  safe  return, 
'  Than  die  at  home,  as  Agamemnon  died 

'  By  treach'ry  of  iEgisthus  and  his  wife.  235 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    III.  39 

*  Yet  not  the  Gods  themselves  can  ward  off  deatlyw 
'  That  comes  to  all,  e'en  from  a  man  they  love,^^ 

1  When  comes  the  hard  fate  of  long-sleeping  death.' 

Prndent  Telemachus  to  her  replied  : 
1  Mentor  !  though  anxious  let  us  not  discuss  240 

'  These  things ;  for  his  return  is  not  assured, 
'  But  the  Gods  for  him  death  and  black  fate  plan. 
1  Another  word  of  Nestor  I  would  ask, 
'  For  he  in  sense  and  justice  all  excels. 

*  Three  generations  he  has  ruled,  they  say,  245 

*  And,  as  he  strikes  my  mind,  immortal  seems'. 
'  0  Nestor  !  son  of  Neleus  !  tell  me  truth, 

'  How  Agamemnon,  son  of  Atreus,  died ; 

1  And  where  was  Menelaus  ?  what  the  death 

1  Which  crafty-counselling  yEgisthus  planned, 

1  And  slew  a  man  much  braver  than  himself^  25° 

'  In  Grecian  Argos  was  he  not  1  where  else 

■  A  wanderer,  when  him  he  dared  to  slay  1 ' 

To  him  Gerenian  horseman,  Nestor,  said : 
'  Well  then,  my  child !  I'll  tell  thee  all  the  truth. 
1  How  'twould   have  happed  thou  rightly  dost  sur- 
mise "  255 
'  If  Menelaus,  coming  back  from  Troy,    <-*•  rf^f®** 
'  Had  found  ^EgisthjisJiving  in  the  house.              ' 

*  Not  o'er  him  dead  would  men  have  heaped  the  earth, 
1  But  dogs  and  birds  would  have  his  flesh  devoured, 

*  On  the  plain  lying,  from  the  city  far.  2G0 

*  Not  one  Achaean  matron  would  have  mourned 
1  For  him,  who  plotted  this  enormous  deed. 

'  While  there  we  sate  and  many  toils  endured, 
'  He,  in  a  nook  of  Argos,  at  his  ease, 


265 


40  THE   ODYSSEY.  —BOOK    III. 

'  Witched  Agamemnon's  wife  with  many  words. 

'  The  noble  Clytemnestra  spurned  at  first 

'  Th'  unworthy  offer,  for  her  mind  was  good. 

'  Now  near  her  was  a  man  of  song,  to  whom 

4  Atrides,  when  he  went  to  Troy,  had  giv'n 

1  The  strictest  charge  to  keep  watch  o'er  his  wife. 

'  When  fate  divine  had  chained  him  to  his  death, 

'  He  to  a  desert  isle  the  bard  conveyed,  270 

'  And  left  him  there,  a  spoil  and  prey  for  birds ; 

'  And  willing  took  her  willing  to  his  home. 

1  There  many  thighs  of  beeves  he  sacrificed 

'  Upon  the  sacred  altars  of  the  Gods, 

'  And  hung  up  offerings,  both  vests  and  gold, 

'  The  great  deed  done  he  scarce  had  hoped  to  do.    275 

'  We  sailed  together  as  we  came  from  Troy, 

'  I  and  Atrides,  each  to  each  a  friend. 

*  To  sacred  Sunium,  th'  Athenian  cape, 

1  We  came,  and  Phoebus  with  his  sudden  darts 

<  The  pilot  slew  of  Menelaus'  ship,  280 

'  Holding  the  rudder  as  the  ship  ran  on, 

1  Phrontis,  Onetor's  son,  who  far  surpassed 

*  The  tribes  of  men  in  steering,  when  the  storms 

*  Come  rushing  on  ;  and  there  he  was  detained, 
1  Though  hasting  on  his  voyage,  till  his  friend 

'  He  buried,  and  performed  funereal  rites.  285 

'  But  when  he,  going  o'er  the  darksome  sea, 

'  In  hollow  ships,  to  Malea's  mount  had  run, 

'  Far-sounding  Jove  a  mournful  journey  planned, 

1  And  on  him  poured  a  blast  of  roaring  winds, 

'  And  monstrous  swelling  waves,  as  mountains  high.  290 

'  There  he  dispersed  them,  and  drove  some  to  Crete, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III.  41 

1  Where  round  Iardan's  streams  Cydonians  dwell. 

*  There  a  bare  steep  rock  runs  into  the  sea, 
'  A  cape  of  Gortys  in  the  gloomy  deep. 

'  The  south  wind  there  a  mighty  wave  impels  295 

1  Against  the  left-hand  crag  on  Phsestus' shore, 

1  And  a  small  rock  the  mighty  wave  restrains. 

'  Thither  they  came  ;  the  men  scarce  death  escaped, 

'  While  the  waves  wrecked  the  ships  upon  the  rocks. 

'  But  yet  five  dark-pro  wed  ships  the  winds  and  sea     300 

1  Bore  off,  and  drove  them  on  th'  Egyptian  shore. 

'  Collecting  there  much  property  and  gold, 

'  He  wandered  with  his  ships  to  strange -tongued  men. 

'  Meanwhile  ^Egisthus  planned  sad  deeds  at  home, 

1  Atrides  slew,  and  o'er  his  people  reigned. 

'  Seven  years  he  ruled  Mycene  rich  in  gold  :  305 

'  In  the  eighth  year  divine  Orestes  came, 

'  A  woe  to  him,  from  Athens,  and  destroyed 

1  ^Egisthus,  who  his  noble  father  slew  ; 

1  And,  having  slain  him,  to  the  Arrives  made, 

'  For  his  detested  mother  and  for  him,  310 

*  Feeble  iEgisthus,  a  funereal  feast. 

1  On  that  same  day  brave  Menelaus  came, 

*  Loaded  with  riches,  which  his  ships  conveyed. 

'  And  thou,  friend  !  do  not  wander  far  from  home, 

*  Leaving  within  thine  house  thy  goods,  and  men 

'  So  proud  :  lest  they  divide  them  and  devour,         315 

'  And  thou  have  made  a  voyage  all  in  vain. 

1  But  I  exhort  and  order  thee  to  go 

1  To  Menelaus,  who  has  lately  come 

'  From  men  from  whom  he  never  hoped  to  come, 

'  When  first  the  tempests  drove  him  from  his  course  320 


42  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III. 

'  Into  a  sea  so  vast  j  whence  emigrate 

'  No  yearly  birds ;  so  great  and  fierce  it. is. 

'  Go  with  thy  ship  and  friends,  or,  if  thou  wilt, 

'  Journey  by  land  :  a  chariot  and  steeds 

'  Await  thee,  and  my  sons  shall  be  thy  guides  325 

'  To  Sparta,  where  fair  Menelaus  dwells. 

1  Entreat  him  that  he  tell  thee  all  the  truth  : 

*  He  will  no  falsehood  tell  for  he  is  wise.' 

He  spake :  the  sun  went  down  and  darkness  came  ; 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  then  addressed  him  thus  :  330 

'  Thou,  venerable  man  !  hast  spoken  well. 
'  Now  cut  the  victims'  tongues,  and  mingle  wine, 

*  That  we,  to  Neptune  and  the  other  Gods 
1  Having  libation  made,  may  seek  repose, 

1  For  'tis  the  hour  :  the  sun  beneath  the  west  335 

*  Is  now  departed  ;  'tis  not  meet  to  sit 

'  At  the  Gods'  feast  too  long,  but  to  retire.' 

So  spake  Jove's  daughter  j  they  obeyed  her  voice. 
Upon  their  hands  the  heralds  water  pour'd  ; 
The  young  men  crowned  the  goblets  with  the  wine, 
And  gave  to  each  the  cups  in  order  due.  340 

They  burned  the  tongues,  and  rising  poured  out  wine. 
When  they  had  made  libation,  and  had  drunk 
All  that  their  mind  desired,  Telemachus 
And  Pallas  to  their  ship  made  haste  to  go. 
But  Nestor  touched  and  checked  him  with  these  words : 
'  May  Jo?e  and  all  th'  immortal  Gods  forbid  345 

j  '  That  from  my  house  you  to  your  ships  should  go, 
£    '  As  from  one  destitute  of  clothes,  and  poor ; 
P    *  Who  has  nor  vests  nor  carpets  in  his  house 
I       '  Whereon  or  he  or  guests  may  softly  sleep  !  350 


THE    ODYSSEY. —BOOK    III.  43 

1  But  I  have  many  vests  and  carpets  fair. 

1  Not  of  that  man  Ulysses  shall  the  son 

'  On  ship  board  sleep  forsooth  while  I'm  alive, 

1  Nor  when  sons  after  me  are  left  at  home 

'  To  welcome  guests  who  at  my  house  arrive.'  355 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  answered  him  again  : 
'  Well  hast  thou  spoken,  dear  old  man  !  'tis  fit 

*  Telemachus  obey,  and  better  thus  : 

1  And  he  shall  follow  to  thine  house  to  sleep. 

*  But  to  the  black  ship  I  myself  will  go,  3G0 
1  To  cheer  our  friends  there,  and  to  tell  them  all. 

J I  only  with  them  have  authority  : 

*  The  others,  younger,  follow  but  from  love, 
1  All  of  such  age  as  brave  Telemachus. 

*  In  the  black  hollow  ship  I  now  would  sleep  :  365 
1  But  to  the  brave  Cauconians  I  at  dawn 

*  Must  go  ;  for  there  a  debt  is  due  to  me, 

*  Nor  new  nor  small.     But  him  who  to  thine  house 
'  Has  come,  with  chariot  and  with  thy  sons 

'  Send  on  the  road ;  and  give  him  horses  too 

*  That  run  the  quickest  and  are  best  in  strength.'    370 

Thus  speaking,  blue-eyed  Pallas  went  away, 
Like  a  sea-eagle.     Wonder  seized  them  all. 
The  old  man,  when  he  saw  it,  was  amazed, 
Took  by  the  hand  Telemachus  and  said  : 
'  Dear  youth  !  I  could  not  think  thee  base  or  mean,  375 
'  When  one  so  young  attendant  Gods  conduct. 
'  None  of  the  Gods  who  have  Olympian  homes 
4  Is  this  but  Jupiter's  most  glorious  child, 
1  Tritogeneia,  who  on  thy  good  sire 
'  Honour  among  the  men  of  Greece  besfcowred. 


44  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III. 

'  Be  thou,  0  queen  !  propitious. ;  grant  renown         380 

'  To  me,  my  children,  and  my  virtuous  wife. 

1  A  year-old  heifer,  with  a  forehead  broad, 

'  Untamed,  which  none  have  led  beneath  the  yoke, 

'  To  thee  I'll  give,  and  plate  its  horns  with  gold.' 

He  spake :  Minerva  hearkened  to  his  prayer.       385 
Then  the  Gerenian  horseman,  Nestor,  led 
His  sons  and  daughters'  husbands  to  his  house. 
When  to  the  palace  of  the  king  they  came, 
They  sate  in  order  on  their  seats  and  thrones. 
And  when  they  came,  the  old  man  mixed  a  bowl      390 
Of  luscious  wine  which,  in  th'  eleventh  year, 
The  house-keeper  unsealed  and  loosed  the  band. 
The  bowl  the  old  man  mingled,  and  besought 
Minerva,  child  of  segis-bearing  Jove, 
Making  libation  and  with  many  prayers. 
When  they  had  made  libation,  and  had  drunk  395 

All  that  their  mind  desired,  they  sought  repose, 
Each  in  his  own  abode.     But  Nestor  made 
Telemachus,  Ulysses'  son,  to  sleep 
On  a  wrought  couch,  beneath  the  sounding  porch, 
And  near  him  prince  Pisistratus,  renowned  400 

As  spearman,  who  alone  unmarried  was 
Of  all  his  sons,  within  the  house.     Himself 
Slept  in  an  inner  chamber  of  the  hall, 
And  there  his  royal  wife  adorned  his  couch. 
When  early  rosy -fingered  morn  appeared, 
Quick  from  his  couch  Gerenian  Nestor  sprang,        405 
And,  coming  forth,  on  polished  marble  sate  ; 
A  seat  that  was  before  the  lofty  doors, 
White,  polished  well  with  oil,  where  sate  of  yore 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III.  45 

Neleus,  in  counsel  equal  to  the  Gods  : 

To  Hades  he,  by  fate  subdued,  had  gone  ;  410 

Gerenian  Nestor,  guardian  of  the  Greeks, 

Then  sate  there,  with  a  sceptre  in  his  hand  ; 

And  round  him  were  assembled  close  his  sons, 

Forth  coming  :   Echephron  and  Stratius, 

Perseus,  Aretus,  godlike  Thrasymede, 

And  to  them  came  the  sixth,  Pisistratus.  415 

They  led  and  seated  there  Telemachus. 

Them  the  Gerenian  Nestor  thus  addressed  : 

1  Dear  children  !  quickly  execute  my  wish, 

'  That  of  the  Gods  I  may  Minerva  first 

1  Propitiate,  who  clearly  to  my  sight  420 

1  Came  to  the  Gods'  feast.     Let  one  to  the  field      A 

1  Go,  that  the  herdsman  drive  the  oxen  up  ;      Mr 

*  One  to  the  ship  of  brave  Telemachus, 

1  And  hither  bring  his  friends,  and  leave  but  two. 

1  Goldsmith  Laerces  let  another  bid  425 

*  To  come,  and  plate  a  heifer's  horns  with  gold. 

*  Stay  here  the  rest  of  you  ;  and  tell  the  maids 
1  Within  the  house  to  labour  at  a  feast. 

'  Bring  seats,  and  wTood,  and  wTater  shining  clear.' 

He  spake  :  all  quick  obey'd  ;  the  heifer  came       430 
Forth  from  the  field  \  and  from  the  equal  ship 
Came  the  companions  of  Telemachus. 
The  goldsmith  came,  and  in  his  hands  he  bore 
His  implements,  resources  of  his  art ; 
Anvil  and  hammers,  pincers  wrought  with  skill, 
AVherewith  he  worked  the  gold.     Minerva  came       435 
To  share  the  sacrifice.     Old  Nestor  gave 
The  gold,  which  he  beat  out  and  fixed  around 


46  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III. 

Its  horns,  that  she  might  see  it  and  rejoice. 

Then  Statius  and  god-like  Echephron 

Led  forth  the  heifer  by  the  horns.     To  them 

Aretus  from  the  chamber  brought  a  vase  440 

Placed  in  an  urn  bedecked  with  flowers  ;  and  held 

Cakes  in  a  basket  with  the  other  hand. 

And  valiant  Thrasymedes  came,  and  brought 

A  sharpened  axe  to  strike  the  heifer  down  : 

And  Perseus  held  a  bowl.     Old  Nestor  took 

Religiously  the  vase  and  cakes,  and  prayed  445 

Much  to  Minerva,  as  he  led  the  rites  : 

Then  from  the  victim's  head  he  burnt  the  hairs. 

When  they  had  prayed  and  raised  the  barley  cakes, 

Then  Thrasymedes,  Nestor's  valiant  son, 

Rushed  up.     The  axe  the  tendons  of  the  neck 

Severed,  and  took  the  heifer's  strength  away.  450 

Daughters,  and  sons'  wives,  and  Eurydice, 

Of  Clymenus  the  eldest  daughter,  wife 

Of  Nestor,  all  up -raised  a  joyous  cry. 

The  brothers  raised  it  from  the  wide-spread  ground, 

And  prince  Pisistratus  the  heifer  slew. 

Forth  gushed  the  black  blood,  and  life  left  the  bones. 

Then  they  dismembered  it,  cut  off  the  thighs,  455 

All  in  due  order ;  covered  them  with  fat 

In  double  folds,  and  placed  raw  meat  thereon. 

The  old  man  roasted  it  with  logs,  and  poured 

Bright  wine  thereon  :  the  young  men  standing  by  460 

Held  in  their  hands  the  spits  with  five  sharp  prongs. 

But  when  the  thighs  were  burnt  the  inward  parts 

They  tasted,  and  cut  off  the  rest,  and  placed 

On  spits,  and  roasted,  turning  with  their  hands. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    III.  47 

Then  Polycaste  bathed  Telemachus,  465 

Of  Nelian  Nestor  youngest  daughter  fair. 

When  she  had  bathed  him,  and  with  olive  oil 

Anointed,  she  around  him  threw  a  vest 

And  tunic.     From  the  bath,  in  form  a  god, 

He  went,  and  sate  by  Nestor,  king  of  men. 

When  they  the  flesh  had  roasted  and  drawn  off,    470 

They  feasting  sate  ;  and  young  men  quickly  came, 

And  poured  the  wine  forth  into  cups  of  gold. 

When  they  were  satisfied  with  drink  and  food, 

Nestor,  Gerenian  horseman,  them  addressed  : 

*  My  sons  !  go  bring  Telemachus  the  steeds         jt  475 

1  With  shining  coats,  and  yoke  them  to  the  cap* 

4  Ready  to  go.'     He  spake,  and  they  obeyed, 

And  to  the  car  the  swift  steeds  quickly  yoked. 

Therein  the  house-keeper  placed  bread  and  wine, 

xVnd  viands  such  as  Jove -born  kings  consume.  480 

Telemachus  the  beauteous  chariot  climbed, 

And  Nestor's  princely  son,  Pisi stratus, 

Mounted  the  chariot  and  assumed  the  reins, 

Whipped  on  the  steeds,  which,  not  unwilling,  flew 

Across  the  plain,  and  lofty  Pylos  left,  ^    485 

And  shook  all  day  the  neck-encircling  yoke. 

The  sun  had  set,  and  all  the  ways  were  dark. 

They  Pherse  reached,  the  house  of  Diocles, 

Son  of  Orsilochus,  Alpheius'  son. 

They  rested  j  hogpitalityJie-gage.  490 

When  early  rosy-fingered  dawn  appeared, 

They  yoked  the  horses,  mounted  on  the  car, 

And  from  the  sounding  portico  they  drove. 

[He  whipped  the  steeds,  which  not  unwilling  flew.] 


48  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    IV. 

They  went  along  the  fertile  plain,  and  soon  495 

Were  near  their  journey's  end  :  so  fast 
The  rapid  horses  bore  them  on  their  way. 
The  sun  had  set,  and  all  the  ways  were  dark. 


BOOK     IV. 


To  LacedjEMON,  full  of  deep  ravines, 

They  drove,  where  famous  Menelaus  dwelL_ 

They  found  him  sd^a^arri^^J^eFd\y?k\__ 

(Given  to  many  friends  and  neighbours  there) 

Of  son  and  blameless  daughter  in  his  house. 

Her  he  was  sending  to  Achilles'  son,  5 

For  he  had  promised  and  by  vow  confirmed 

At  Troy,  that  he  would  give  her  ;  and  the  Gods 

Accomplished  the  espousals  ;  so  that  he 

Was  sending  her,  with  chariots  and  steeds, 

To  the  famed  city  of  the  Myrmidons, 

O'er  whom  he  reigned.     But  for  his  son  he  brought      10 

Alector's  daughter  from  the  Spartan  land. 

He,  Megapenthes,  of  a  slave  was  born, 

Dearly  beloved,  because  the  Gods  denied 

Offspring  to  Helen,  since  she  first  produced 

Hermione,  that  lovely  child  ;  whose  form 

Resembled  that  which  golden  Venus  had. 

[Thus,  in  the  spacious  house  with  lofty  roof,  15 

Neighbours  and  friends  of  Menelaus  held 

A  feast,  delighted  ;  and  among  them  played 

A  god-like  harpist,  while  two  dancers  whirled 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  49 

Amid  them,  when  the  bard  his  strain  began.] 

They  and  the  horses  at  the  portal  stood,  20 

Telemachus  and  Nestor's  noble  son. 

Them  Eteoneus  coming  forward  saw, 

(Of  Menelaus  active  servant  he), 

And  went  to  tell  the  tidings  to  the  king, 

And,  standing  near  him,  spoke  these  winged  words  :    25 

1  Two  strangers,  noble  Menelaus  !  here 

'  Are  standing,  like  the  race  of  mighty  Jove. 

*  Tell  me  if  I  their  horses  shall  unyoke, 

*  Or  bid  them  other  entertainer  seek.' 

Fair  Menelaus  angrily  replied  :  30 

1  0  Eteoneus,  of  Boethes  son  ! 

'  Thou  wert  not  foolish  once,  but  now  thou  speak'st, 
1  As  though  a  child  thou  wert,  these  foolish  words. 
1  We  two  have  hither  come,  consuming  oft 

*  The  hospitable  gifts  of  other  men, 

'  Hoping  that  Jove  would  free  us  from  our  cares.         35 
'  JjO,  loose  their  steeds,  and  bring  them  in  to  feast ! ' 

He  spake  :  the  servant  hastened  from  the  house, 
And  bade  the  rest  to  follow  in  his  steps. 
They  loosed  the  sweating  horses  from  the  yoke, 
And  to  the  stable -mangers  tied  them  fast.  4Q 

Before  them  rye  they  placed  and  barley  white, 
And  reared  the  car  against  the  shining  front, 
And  led  the  men  the  noble  house  within. 
They,  when  the  palace  of  the  Jove-born  king 
They  saw,  were  filled  with  wonder ;  for  a  beam 
As  of  the  sun  or  moon  appeared  to  shine  45 

In  noble  Menelaus'  high-roofed  house. 
AY  hen  they  had  gratified  their  wondering  eyes, 


f: 


50  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV. 

They  to  the  polished  cauldrons  went,  and  bathed. 
Them  when  the  maids  had  bathed  and  rubbed  with  oil 
They  clothed  with  vests  and  tunics  of  crisp  wool,      50 
And  placed  on  thrones  where  Menelaus  sate. 
From  a  fair  golden  ewer  a  maiden  filled 
A  bowl,  above  a  silver  cauldron  placed, 
To  wash,  and  spread  a  polished  table  near. 
A  venerable  house -keeper  brought  bread,  55 

Piling  up  divers  cates  in  full  supply.  •Y 

[Dishes  of  various  meats  the  carver  brought,  J^ 

And  by  their  side  the  golden  cups  arranged.]   n/*<w' 
Fair  Menelaus  pledged  them  both  and  said  :      T,    « 
'  Feast  on,  and  welcome  be  !  and,  when  ye  cease     60 
'  From  feasting,  we  will  ask  you  who  ye  are^X 
'  Your  parents'  race  has  not  been  lost  in  you. 
'  From  mighty  kings  that  wield  the  sceptre  ye 
'  Are  sprung;  mean  parents  could  not  such  beget.' 

He  spake,  and  in  their  hands  he  placed  the  chine  65 
Of  a  fat  ox,  the  portion  set  for  him  ; 
And  on  the  feast  prepared  their  hands  they  threw. 
When  they  were  satisfied  with  drink  and  meat, 
Telemachus  thus  spake  to  Nestor's  son, 
Holding  his  head  nigh  lest  the  rest  should  hear  :       70 
'  Mark,  son  of  Nestor,  pleasant  to  my  soul ! 
'  The  gleam  of  brass  within  the  sounding  house, 
'  Of  gold  and  amber,  silver,  ivory. 
'  Such  must  the  hall  be  of  Olympian  Jove ; 
'  Such  wealth  untold ;  I  wonder  as  I  gaze.'  75 

Fair  Menelaus  understood  his  speech, 
And  thus  addressed  them  with  his  winged  words : 
'  Dear  youths  !  no  mortal  could  with  Jove  contend  :    . 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  51 

*  Immortal  are  his  houses  and  his  goods. 

1  Some  one  of  men  perhaps  will  vie  with  me  80 

1  In  wealth,  some  not ;  for,  after  many  woes 

*  And  wanderings,  I  brought  it  in  my  ships ; 

1  And  in  the  eighth  year  came,  a  wand'rer  o'er 
1  Cyprus,  Phcenice,  to  th'  Egyptian  men, 
1  The  ^Ethiopians,  Sidonians, 

*  Th'  Erembi,  Libya,  where  the  lambs  are  born  85 

*  With  horns,  and  thrice  a  year  the  ewes  bring  forth. 
'  There  neither  king  nor  shepherd  is  in  want 

4  Of  cheese  and  flesh,  nor  of  the  pleasant  milk  \ 
'  They  always  store  the  yearly  milk  away. 

*  While  in  those  realms  I  strayed,  collecting  wealth,  90 

*  One  slew  my  brother  secretly,  beyond 

*  All  thought,  through  craft  of  his  pernicious  wife  : 

*  Thus  without  joy  o'er  all  this  wealth  I  rule. 

1  You  from  your  sires,  whoe'er  they  be,  would  learn 

*  What  ills  I  underwent,  and  lost  my  home  95 

I  Well-peopled,  and  with  many  riches  stored. 

*  0  that  I  dwelt  here,  having  but  a  third 

*  Of  all  this  wealth,  and  that  the  men  were  safe 

*  Who  died  at  Troy,  from  fertile  Argos  far ! 

*  Although  lamenting  and  bewailing  all,  100 

*  Yet  oft,  within  my  palace  as  I  sit, 

*  Sometimes  I  ease  my  mind  by  tears,  sometimes 

*  Refrain;  cold  sorrow  soon  has. wailed  enough. 

I I  do  not  grieve  and  weep  so  much  for  all 

f  As  for  one  man,  who  takes  away  my  sleep  105 

r  And  appetite,  when  I  remember  him  ; 
\  For  no  one  of  the  Greeks  has  toiled  and  borne 
^What  he,  Ulysses,  toiled  and  underwent. 


52  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    IV. 

'  Care  was  to  him  assigned,  and  grief  to  me 

'  Unceasingly,  for  he  is  absent  long ; 

1  Nor  know  we  whether  he's  alive  or  dead.  HO 

'  Aged  Laertes,  wise  Penelope, 

1  And,  whom  he  left  at  home  but  lately  born, 

*  Telemachus,  bewail  him  in  his  house.' 

He  spake,  and  roused  his  sorrow  for  his  sire  : 
He  from  his  eye -lids  shed  upon  the  ground 
A  tear-drop,  when  he  heard  his  father's  name. 
He  held  the  purple  cloak  before  his  eyes  H5 

With  both  his  hands.     Him  Menelaus  marked, 
And  meditated  in  his  heart  and  mind 
Whether  to  leave  him  thinking  on  his  sire, 
Or  first  inquire  what  might  his  purpose  be. 
While  thus  he  doubted  in  his  heart  and  mind,  120 

From  her  high  fragrant  chamber  Helen  came,  ~ 

Like  to  Diana  who  the  distaff  bears.  CSi**^  •  Y^^ 
Adraste  for  her  placed  a  well-made  couch, 
A  carpet  of  soft  wool  Alcippe  bore ; 
Phylo  a  silver  basket,  which  to  her  125 

Alcandra,  wife  of  Polybus,  had  given, 
Who  dwelt  at  Thebes  in  the  Egyptian  land, 
Where  many  treasures  in  his  house  are  laid. 
To  Menelaus  he  two  silver  baths, 
Two  tripods,  and  ten  golden  talents  gave. 
His  wife  besides  to  Helen  gave  fair  gifts,  130 

A  golden  distaff',  and  a  basket  round 
Of  silver,  finished  off  with  lips  of  gold. 
The  maiden  Phylo  brought  and  set  it  down, 
Filled  to  the  brim  with  fine-drawn  threads,  whereon 
Was  fixed  the  distaff,  bearing  dark-hiied-wool.  135 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    IV.  .  53 

She  sate  upon  the  couch,  a  stool  beneath 

Her  feet,  and  of  her  husband  thus  inquired  : 

1  0  noble  Menelaus  !  know  we  yet 

1  Who  these  men  are  who  to  our  house  have  come  1 

'  Are  my  words  true  or  false  1  my  mind  compels       140 

1  My  speech ;  for  never  saw  I  one  so  like, 

1  Woman  or  man  (I  wonder  as  I  gaze), 

*  As  this  one  seems  to  brave  Ulysses'  son, 
'  Telemachus,  whom,  lately -born,  he  left 

1  At  home,  when  for  the  sake  of  shameless  me  H5 

*  Ye. Grecians,  fierce  war  planning,  went  to  Troy.'  J 
y/Y&xx  Menelaus  answered  her  and  said : 

I  My  wife  !  as  thou  surmisest  so  think  T. 

'  Such  are  his  feet  as  his,  and  such  his  hands, 

'  Glance  of  his  eyes,  his  head  and  hair  above.  150 

*  When  now,  Ulysses  calling  to  my  mind, 

I I  spoke  of  woes  which  he  for  me  endured, 

*  He  from  his  eye-lids  shed  a  bitter  tear, 

1  And  held  his  purple  cloak  before  his  eyes.' 

Pisistratus,  the  son  of  Nestor,  said :  155 

*  0  godlike  Menelaus  !  Atreus'  son  ! 

'  Prince  of  the  people  !  truly,  as  thou  say'st, 
'  Of  that  man  he  is  son  ;  but  still  he  is 
'  Modest,  and  is  reluctant  in  his  mind 

*  To  introduce  his  overtures  to  thee,  160 
1  With  whose  voice,  as  a  God's,  we  both  are  charmed. 

1  Me  the  Gerenian  horseman,  Nestor,  sent 
s  escort  on  his  journey ;  for  he  wished 
b  see  thee,  if  perchance  thou  couldst  suggest 

1  Aught  or  of  word  or  deed ;  for  many  griefs 

*  For  his  long-absent  sire  the  boy  endures 


54  .  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    IV. 

1  At  home ;  to  whom  no  other  aids  remain,  165 

'  Since  now  Telemachns  is  gone,  and  none 

'  Are  in  the  realm  who  can  his  wrongs  redress^ 

Fair  Menelaus  answered  him  and  said : 
'  0  wonderful !  the  son  of  my  dear  friend 
'  Has  at  my  house  arrived,  who  for  my  sake  1"° 

1  Has  many  labours  borne.  /I  said  I  would 
'  Above  all  other  Argives  show  him  love, 

*  If  to  us  two  loud-sounding  Jove  should  grant 
1  In  our  swift  ships  return  upon  the  sea ; 

'  A  city  would  assign  him ;  build  a  house  ;  175 

1  From  Ithaca  would  bring  him  with  his  goods, 

'  His  son  and  subjects ;  would  depopulate 

4  One  neighb'ring  town  of  those  beneath  my  sway  ; 

1  And  we  would  be  united  ;  nor  would  aught 

'  Dissever  us  in  friendship  and  in  joy, 

'  Till  death's  black  cloud  should  overshadow  both.  180 

'  But  God  himself  has  envied  this  to  us, 

'  Who  made  him  wretched  and  without  return.' 

He  spake,  and  roused  in  all  regretful  tears. 
The  Jove-descended  Argive  Helen  wept ; 
Telemachus  and  Menelaus  wept,  185 

Nor  even  Nestor's  son  had  tearless  eyes ; 
For  he  remembered  brave  Antilochus, 
Whom  bright  Aurora's  noble  offspring  slew. 
Rememb'ring  him  he  spoke  these  winged  words  : 
'  Atrides  !  aged  Nestor  used  to  say  19° 

*  [When  in  our  house  each  with  the  other  spoke] 
'  That  thou  above  all  other  men  art  wise. 

1  Now,  if  it  may  be,  hear  me.  \  'Tis  no  joy 

'  To  weep  at  feasts  !  the  early  dawn  will  come.^ 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  55 

1  Yet  I  am  not  ashamed  to  weep  for  one  195 

'  Who  may  have  died  and  yielded  unto  fate. 

1  And  'tis  the  privilege  of  men  in  grief 

1  To  cut  the  hair  and  dew  the  cheek  with  tears. 

'  My  brother  too,  of  Argives  not  the  worst, 

1  Is  dead  :  thou  must  have  known  him  well,  but  I  200 

'  Nor  knew  nor  saw  him  j  but  Antilochus,.  C£ -   o^ 

'  As  they  report,  all  other  men  excelled 

*  As  a  swift  runner  and  a  warrior.' 

Fair  Menelaus  answered  him  and  said  : 
'  Friend  !  thou  hast  spoken  as  a  brave  man  ought 

*  To  speak  and  act,  an  elder  of  his  race  205 

*  And  of  such  sire  ;  wise  therefore  are  thy  words. 
1  Soon  is  his  son  discerned  to  whom,  at  birth 

1  And  marriage,  Jove  prosperity  decreed. 

*  So  he  has  granted  Nestor  to  grow  old 

*  In  happiness  unceasingly  at  home  ;  210 

*  And  that  his  sons  be  wise  and  warriors  brave. 
1  But  let  us  check  the  tears  which  lately  rose, 

'  And  think  upon  the  feast.     Upon  our  hands 

*  Let  them  pour  water :  when  the  day  shall  dawn 

1  Telemachus  and  I  will  converse  hold.'  215 

He  spake  :  upon  their  hands  Asphalion, 
Servant  of  Menelaus,  water  poured, 
And  on  the  feast  prepared  their  hands  they  placed. 
Then  Helen,  sprung  from  Jove,  had  other  thoughts.  c 

Into  the  cup  of  wine  from  whence  they  drank  220  yf 

She  put  a  drug  which  care  and  anger  soothes,        &s       ir 
Bringing  forgetfulness  of  all  distress  p'J/       J? 

To  him  who  drinks  it  mingled  in  the  bowl.     7 
Nor  would  he  all  day  long  one  tear  let  fall 


56  THE   ODYSSEY.  —BOOK    IV. 

If  father  and  if  mother  both  were  dead, 
Or  if  they  killed  his  brother  or  dear  son  225 

Before  him,  and  he  saw  it  with  his  eyes. 
Such  drugs,  with  skill  prepared,  Jove's  daughter  had, 
Which  Polydamna  gave  her,  wife  of  Thon 
Of  Egypt,  where  the  ground  bears  many  drugs, 
Some  good  when  mixt,  and  some  the  cause  of  grief.  230 
And  each  physician  there  is  skilled  beyond 
All  others,  for  of  Paeon's  race  they  are. 
When  she  had  put  the  drug  within  the  bowl, 
And  bade  them  pour  the  wine  forth,  thus  she  spake  : 
'  0  Menelaus !  Atreus'  son  divine  !  235 

1  And  ye  of  noble  sires  the  children  !  (Jove 
'  To  one  and  other  sends  both  good  and  ill, 
'  For  he 's  omnipotent)  now  sit  and  feast, 
'  Pleased  with  appropriate  tales  which  I  will  tell. 
J/l  cannot  tell,  not  even  name  them  all,  240 

J^VThe  struggles  of  Ulysses'  patient  mind  ; 
J'   //  Such  deeds  the  valiant  hero  did  and  dared, 
1  When  ye  Greeks  bore  calamities  at  Troy. 
'  There  with  unseemly  stripes  he  scarred,  himself, 
'  And,  like  a  slave,  upon  his  shoulders  put  245 

'  Coarse  rags,  and  slunk  into  the  wide- way 'd  [town. 
'  Of  hostile  men,  and  stealthily  he  took 
1  Another  form,  as  of  some  beggar-man ; 
'  Who  at  the  Grecian  ships  far  other  was. 
'  Ulysses  came  in  form  like  him  to]  Troy. 
'  All  by  his  craft  were  duped  :  but  I  alone,  250 

'  Though  in  such  guise,  detected  him,  and  put 
'  Questions,  which  craftily  he  turned  aside. 
4  But  when  I  bathed  and  rubbed  him  o'er  with  oil, 


THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    IV.  57 

'  And  put  his  garments  on,  I  sware  an  oath 

*  Not  to  the  Trojans  to  disclose  his  name 

'  Till  he  had  reached  the  swift  ships  and  the  tents.  255 
c  And  then  he  told  me  all  the  Grecians'  plan, 
1  And  many  Trojans  with  his  sharp  sword  slew ; 
'  Then  went,  and  gave  the  Greeks  intelligence. 

*  While  other  Trojan  matrons  loudly  wept, 

(^My  heart  rejoiced,  for  homeward  it  was  turned, \  2G0 
1  And  I  bewailed  the  woe  which  Venus  caused, 

*  Who  took  me  thither  from  my  native  land, 

'  Leaving  my  daughter,  marriage -bed,  and  spouse, 
1  One  not  deficient  or  in  mind  or  form.' 

Fair  Menelaus  answered  her  and  said  :  265 

1  All  this,  my  wife  !  thou  hast  correctly  said. 
'  I  well  have  known  the  counsel  and  the  mind 

*  Of  many  heroes,  and  to  many  lands 

4  Have  gone ;  but  never  with  these  eyes  have  seen 
'  One  with  such  heart  as  brave  Ulysses  had  ;  270 

'  Who  did  or  dared  as  did  that  valiant  man 
'  Within  the  polished  horse,  where  we,  the  best 

*  Of  all  the  Argives,  were  enclosed,  and  brought 
'  Death  and  destruction  to  the  Trojan  men. 

'  Thou  wentest  thither ;  'twas  some  God  that  bade, 
'  Who  to  the  Trojans  wished  to  give  renown.  275 

*  Deiphobus  attended  on  thy  steps  : 

*  Thrice  round  the  hollow  ambush  thou  didst  walk 
1  Inspecting,  and  the  chiefest  Greeks  didst  call 

1  By  name,  with  voice  that  seem'd  as  of  their  wives. 

*  Divine  Ulysses,  Tydeus'  son,  and  I  280 

*  Among  them  sitting  heard  when  thou  didst  speak. 

*  We  two  were  both  desirous  to  rush  forth, 


A 


58  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    IV. 

*  Or  from  within  to  listen  and  reply  : 

'  Ulysses  checked  us,  eager  as  we  were. 

'  [Then  all  the  other  Greeks  in  silence  sate,  285 

'  Though  Anticlus  desired  to  make  reply ; 

*  But  with  strong  hand  Ulysses  pressed  his  lip 
'  Persistently,  and  so  saved  all  the  Greeks, 

1  And  held  it,  till  Minerva  led  thee  off].' 

The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said  :  290 

1  0  godlike  Menelaus  !  Atreus'  son  ! 

*  Prince  of  the  people  !  this  is  sadder  still  ; 

*  For  from  himself  he  could  not  death  repel, 
'  Not  though  he  had  an  iron  heart  within. 

'  But  come,  permit  us  to  our  couch  to  go, 

*  And  there  reclining  pleasant  sleep  enjoy.'  295 

He  spake  :  the  Argive  Helen  bade  her  maids 
To  place  the  beds  beneath  the  sounding  porch, 
To  spread  thereon  fair  purple  coverlets, 
Carpets  to  lay,  and  vestments  soft  above. 
They,  bearing  torches,  from  the  hall  went  forth,      300 
And  spread  the  beds ;  a  herald  led  the  guests. 
There  in  the  palace  entrance-hall  they  slept, 
Telemachus  and  Nestor's  noble  son. 
In  a  sequestered  chamber  of  the  house 
The  son  of  Atreus  slept ;  and  by  his  side, 
Woman  divine,  the  long-robed  Helen  lay.  305 

When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 
f  Brave  Menelaus  left  his  couch,  and  donned 
His  vest ;  his  sharp  sword  o'er  his  shoulders  hung  ; 
Braced  his  fair  sandals  o'er  his  shining  feet, 
And,  like  some  God,  forth  from  his  chamber  came,  310 
And,  sitting  by  Telemachus,  thus  spake  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  59 

'  What  need  has  brought  thee,  0  Telemachus  ! 

*  To  Lacedsemon,  o'er  the  broad  sea's  back, 

*  Public  or  private  1  truly  tell  me  this.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  :  315 

1  0  godlike  Menelaus  !  Atreus'  son  ! 
1  Prince  of  the  people !  I  am  come  to  hear 

*  If  of  my  father  thou  canst  give  report. 

'  My  substance  is  devoured,  my  goods  destroyed, 

1  My  house  is  full  of  enemies,  who  slay 

'  My  folded  sheep  and  slowly-trailing  beeves,  320 

*  Unchecked,  and  haughtily  my  mother  woo. 

*  So  to  thy  knees  I  come  a  suppliant, 

*  If  thou  couldst  tell  me  of  his  mournful  death  ; 

*  Hast  seen  it  wTith  thine  eyes  or  heard  report 

'  Of  where  he  wanders.     Him  his  mother  bare         325 
1  Most  wretched.     Do  not,  from  regard  to  me, 

*  Nor  from  compassion,  tell  me  honeyed  words, 

I  But  tell  me  true,  as  thou  hast  heard  report. 

I I  pray,  if  e'er  Ulysses,  my  good  sire, 

*  Has  helped  thee  to  accomplish  word  or  deed 

1  In  Troy,  where  ye  Achseans  suffered  woes,  330 

*  These  for  my  sake  recall,  and  tell  me  true.' 

Fair  Menelaus  answered  him  and  said  : 
1  0  strange  it  is  that  in  a  strong  man's  bed 
1  They  should,  so  mean  themselves,  desire  to  lie  ! 
1  It  is  as  though  in  some  fierce  lion's  lair  335 

'  A  hind  should  leave  her  new-born  suckling  fawns 
1  Asleep,  while  she  explores  the  woody  slopes 
1  And  grassy  glens  in  search  of  food  ;  and  he, 
'  Returning  after  to  his  den,  should  slay 

*  Them  both  :  and  thus  Ulysses  them  will  slay.       340 


GO  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV. 

'  0  father  Jove  !  Minerva  !  Phoebus  !  would 
1  He  such  were  now  as  in  fair  Lesbos  once, 

*  A  wrestler,  matched  with  Philomeleus'  son 

'  Whom  he  o'erthrew,  and  all  the  Greeks  rejoiced ; 

*  Would  that  Ulysses  such  the  suitors  met  !  345 
1  Their  fate  would  swift,  their  marriage  bitter  be. 

'  As  to  thy  questions  and  thy  prayers,  I  will 
'  Nor  give  eyasive_answers  nor  deceive^ 
'  What  the  old  prophet  of  the  sea  declared 

*  I  will  not  hide  nor  will  conceal  a  word.  350 

*  In  Egypt,  when  desirous  to  return, 

1  The  Gods  detained  me.     Perfect  hecatombs 

*  T  had  not  offered  to  them ;  and  the  Gods 

1  Expect  that  men  should  think  on  their  commands. 

r There  is  an  island  in  the  storm-tost  sea 
In  front  of  Egypt,  which  they  Pharos  call ;  355 

1  Distant  as  far  as  could  a  hollow  ship 
1  Make  a  day's  voyage  when  the  wind  blows  fair. 
'  A  harbour  with  good  anchorage  is  there, 
'  Whence  equal  ships  they  launch  into  the  sea, 

*  When  they  have  drawn  dark  water  from  the  spring. 

'  There  the  Gods  kept  me  twenty  days,  nor  once      360 

*  Appeared  fair  breezes  blowing  o'er  the  wave, 

1  Which  on  the  broad  sea's  back  the  ships  convey. 
'  Provisions  and  men's  strength  would  all  have  failed, 
'  Had  not  a  Goddess  pitied  me  and  saved, 

*  Daughter  of  Proteus,  th'  old  man  of  the  sea,  365 
'  Eidothea,  whose  mind  I  greatly  moved. 

*  She  met  me  lonely,  from  my  friends  apart ; 

*  For  round  the  island  wandering  they  fished 

*  With  hooks,  while  hunger  vexed  our  stomachs  sore. 


(  l( 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  61 

She,  standing  near  me,  spoke  this  word  and  said  :  370 
"  Stranger  !  thou  'rt  foolish,  and  thy  mind  's  unstrung, 
"  Or,  willingly  inactive,  courtest  woe, 
Thus  in  the  isle  detained  ;  nor  remedy 

*  "  Canst  find,  the  while  thy  friends'  hearts  waste  away." 
1  She  spoke  :  I  thus  addressed  her  in  reply  :  375 

*  "  Whoever  of  the  Goddesses  thou  art, 
'  "  I  tell  thee  that  I  am  not  willingly 

*  "  Detained,  but  seem  against  th'  immortal  Gods,  C<^ 
* "  Who  the  wide  sky  inhabit,  to  have  sinned^,,^  °^~ 

I 'r  But,  for  the  Gods  know  all  things^ telTme  now 
4  "  Who  of  th'  immortals  hinders  and  retards  380 

«  "  My  voyage  homeward  o'er  the  fishy  sea." 
' I  spake  :  the  Goddess  thus  forthwith  replied : 
1 "  I  will,  0  stranger  !  speak  with  perfect  truth. 
' "  The  old  man  of  the  sea  this  place  frequents, 

*  "  Truthful,  immortal,  of  Egyptian  race,  385 
1  "  Proteus,  wTho  knows  the  depth  of  every  sea, 

'  "  Servant  of  Neptune  :  him  they  call  my  sire. 
' "  If  him  in  ambush  lying  thou  couldst  catch, 
' "  Thy  way,  and  what  the  distance,  he  could  tell, 

*  "  And  what  thy  homeward  voyage  o'er  the  sea  ;     390 
* "  And,   noble  prince  !    could  tell,  if  thou  wouldst 

know, 
1  "  What  good  or  ill  is  done  at  home,  while  thou 
'  "  Art  absent  on  thy  long  and  painful  way." 
'  'Twas  thus  she  spake,  and  in  reply  I  said  : 

*  "  Tell  me  the  aged  prophet's  lurking  place,  395 
'  "  Lest  he,  fore-knowing  and  fore-warned,  escape. 

'  "  'Tis  hard  for  mortal  to  subdue  a  God." 

*  So  spake  I,  and  the  Goddess  thus  replied : 


62  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    IV. 

'  "  Well,  stranger  !  I  with  perfect  truth  will  speak. 

* "  When  the  mid-sky  the  sun  has  overpast,  400 

'  "  Forth  from  the  sea  the  truthful  sage  will  come, 

'  "  While  blows  the  Zephyr,  clad  in  dusky  fur, 

* "  And  go  to  sleep  beneath  the  hollow  rocks. 

'  "  Fin-footed  seals  around,  from  salt  waves  sprung, 

*  "  Emerging  from  the  sea,  collected  sleep,  405 
'  "  Snorting  the  salt  sea's  bitter  odour  forth. 

"  Thither  I'll  bring  thee  when  the  dawn  appears, 
"  And  make  recline  :  thou  three  companions  choose, 
"  The  best  of  those  who  man  thy  well-benched  ships. 

*  "  I  will  recite  the  old  man's  elfish  tricks.  410 
* "  The  seals  he  first  will  number  and  recount. 

'  "  When  he  has  reckoned  and  reviewed  them  all, 
* "  'Mid  them  he'll  sleep  as  shepherd  'mid  his  flock. 
'  "  And  when  ye  first  have  seen  him  lulled  to  sleep, 

*  "  Then  summon  to  you  all  your  force  and  strength, 

1 "  And  seize  upon  him  eager  to  escape.  415 

'  "  He  will  endeavour  to  become  whate'er 

1 "  There  are  of  crawling  creatures,  water,  fire. 

' "  Hold  firmly  on,  and  press  him  all  the  more. 

*  "  When  he  himself  shall  question  thee  with  words,  420 

*  "  In  shape  as  when  ye  saw  him  go  to  sleep, 

1 "  Then  slack  your  force,  and  set  the  old  man  free, 
'  "  And  ask  him,  hero  !  who  of  all  the  Gods 
' "  Checks  thy  return,  in  anger,  o'er  the  sea." 

'  She  spake,  and  plunged  beneath  the  foaming  wave. 
'  To  the  ships,  drawn  upon  the  beach,  I  went,  425 

'  And  sore  my  heart  was  panting  as  I  walked. 
'  When  at  the  ship  and  sea  I  had  arrived 
'  We  supper  served,  and  night  divine  came  on ; 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  63 

'  And  where  the  waves  broke  on  the  shore  we  slept. 
1  When  finrly^msy-fingftHxl  rla.vyn  appeared,  430 

1  Along  the  sea's  wide-spreading  shore  I  went, 

*  With  much  pray'r  to  the    Gods,   and  took  three 

friends, 
1  On  wThom,  in  ev'ry  need,  I  trusted  most. 
1  Then  she  beneath  the  wide  sea's  bosom  plunged,    435 

*  And  from  the  deep  the  skins  of  four  seals  brought, 
1  New-stripped,  and  planned  a  fraud  upon  her  sire. 

*  Then,  in  the  sea-sand  having  trenches  dug, 

'  She  sate  and  waited  :  we  to  her  approached. 

1  She  made  us  lie,  and  put  a  skin  on  each.  440 

'  Dreadful  our  ambush  would  have  been  ;  the  stench 

*  Of  the  sea-nurtured  seals  so  dreadfully 

*  Oppressed  us :  who  with  sea-bred  beasts  would  lie  1 
'  But  she  preserved  and  gave  us  great  relief. 

*  She  brought,  and  on  the  nostrils  placed  of  each,    445 
'  Ambrosia,  sweetly -breathing,  and  destroyed 

*  The  stench ;  and  all  the  morn  we  patient  lay. 

'  Forth  from  the  sea  came  seals  in  crowds,  and  they 
1  Lay  down  to  sleep  in  order  on  the  shore. 

*  The  old  man  from  the  sea  came  forth  at  noon;       450 
1  Found  the  fat  seals  ;  o'erlooked  and  counted  all  j 

1  Reckoned  us  first  among  them,  nor  perceived 

*  The  fraud  ;  and  then  himself  lay  down  to  sleep. 

'  We  with  a  shout  rushed  on,  and  round  him  threw 
1  Our  hands ;  but  he  did  not  his  craft  forget,  455 

'  But  first  a  bearded  lion  he  became, 

*  A  dragon  next,  a  leopard  and  a  boar ; 

*  Then  liquid  water,  and  a  high-branched  tree, 

*  While  we,  with  patient  mind,  held  firmly  on. 


64  THE    ODYSSEY.  —  BOOK   IV. 

*  But  when  the  old  man,  skilled  in  elfish  tricks,        460 
1  Was  grieved,  enquiring  of  me  thus  he  spake  : 

'  "  What  God,  Atrides  !  has  this  plan  devised 

*  "To  snare  me  'gainst  my  will?  what  needest  thou  I" 
4  He  spake,  and  I  replying  to  him  said  : 

'  "  Old  man !  thou  knowst,  why  speak  misleading  me  ? 
1  "  How  in  the  island  I'm  detained,  nor  find,  465 

*  "  While  wastes  my  heart  away,  a  remedy. 

1 "  But,  for  the  Gods  know  all  things,  tell  me  this : 
'  "  Who  of  th'  immortals  hinders  and  retards 

I  "  My  voyage  homeward  o'er  the  fishy  sea  V 

I I  spake  :  and  he  forthwith  replied  and  said  :  470 
'  "  Aye  !  but  thou  ought  est  to  have  gone  on  board, 

1 "  Having  to  Jove  and  to  the  other  Gods 

' "  Due  off'rings  made,  that  swiftly  thou  mightst  go 

\  "  Unto  thy  country  o'er  the  dusky  sea. 

*  "  It  is  not  fate  that  thou  shouldst  see  thy  friends,  4/5 
' "  Nor  to  thy  high-roofed  house  and  native  land 

'  "  Shouldst  go,  before  that  thou  hast  visited 

t  "  Th'  Egyptian  river's  water,  sprung  from  Jove, 

*  "  And  shouldst  have  offered  to  th'  immortal  Gods, 
'  "  Who  dwell  in  heaven,  sacred  hecatombs. 

'  "  Then  the  return  thou  seekest  they  will  grant."  480 
'  He  spake  :  and  in  me  my  dear  heart  was  crushed, 
1  For  that  he  ordered  me  upon  the  sea 
'  To  go  to  Egypt  j  voyage  long  and  hard. 

*  Yet  even  so  I  answered  with  these  words  : 

'  "  Old  man  !  as  thou  commandest  I  will  do.  485 

'  "  But  tell  me  this,  and  tell  me  truthfully, 

*  "  If  all  the  Greeks  have  safely  with  their  ships 

'  "  Arrived,  whom  I  and  Nestor,  when  from  Troy 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  65 

*  "  We  went,  had  left  there  ;  or  if  any  one 

1 "  By  bitter  death  has  perished  in  his  ship, 

*  "  Or  in  his  friends'  hands  when  he  ceased  from  war." 
'  So  spake  I  :  he  immediately  replied  :  490 
' "  0  son  of  Atreus  !  why  enquire  of  this  % 

1 "  It  fits  thee  not  to  know  or  search  my  mind  ; 
6 "  Nor,  shouldst  thou  hear  it,  do  I  think  that  thou 

*  "  Wouldst  long  be  free  from  sorrow  ;  for  of  them 

1 "  While  many  perished  many  yet  were  left.  495 

'  "  Two  leaders  only  perished  of  the  Greeks 

*  "  On  their  return,  whom  thou  hast  joined  in  fight. 
'  "  One,  living,  by  the  wide  sea  is  detained  ; 

1 "  Ajax  was  killed  among  the  long-oar'd  ships. 

*  "  Neptune  first  drove  them  on  the  Gyrian  rocks,  500 

'  "  And  saved  him  from  the  sea ;  and  death  he  would,    v^f' 
1 "  Though  hated  by  Minerva,  have  escaped,  c*<    ^ 

Had  he  not  uttered  a  proud  speech,  and  sinned. 

He  said  that,  in  despite  of  all  the  Gods,. 
*\"  He  would  escape  the  great  gulf  of  the  sea. 

*  "  Neptune  o'erheard  him  speak  these  haughty  words. 
'  "  Then  in  his  strong  hands  he  his  trident  took,      505 

*  "  Drove  at  and  cleft  in  twain  the  Gyrian  rock. 
1  "  Part  there  remained,  part  fell  into  the  sea  ; 
'  "  And  Ajax,  seated  there,  was  greatly  hurt. 
1  "  It  plunged  him  in  the  boundless  surging  sea,      510 
'  "And  there,  the  salt  wave  drinking  in,  he  died. 
t  "  Thy  brother  had  avoided  and  escaped 

*  "  Death  in  the  hollow  ships,  for  Juno  saved. 

*  "  But,  when  to  Malea's  mountain  he  approached,  515 
1  "  A  tempest  caught,  and  o'er  the  fishy  sea 

*  "  Hurried  him  onward,  utt'ring  many  groans, 

F 


66  THE    ODYSSEY.—  BOOK    IV. 

"  To  th'  headland,  where  Thyestes  used  to  dwell, 

"  But  then  iEgisthus  from  Thyestes  sprung. 

"  When  there  it  seem'd  that  his  return  was  safe. 

"  The  Gods  a  fair  breeze  gave,  and  home  they  went.  520 

"  With  joy  he  climbed  his  native  land  again, 

M  And,  touching,  kissed  it,  while  hot  tears  fell  down, 

"  As  with  delight  he  saw  the  land  again. 

"  Him  from  the  watch-tower  spied  a  scout,  whom  there 

"  Crafty  iEgisthus  placed,  and  promised  him  525 

"  Two  golden  talents.     For  a  year  he  watched 

"  Lest  Agamemnon  pass  him  unobserved, 

"  And  his  impetuous  strength  again  recall. 

"  Then  to  the  house  he  went  to  tell  the  king. 

"  ^Egisthus  speedily  a  scheme  devised, 

"  And  twenty  chosen  men  in  ambush  placed,  530 

"  And  in  the  further  hall  a  feast  prepared. 

"  Then  Agamemnon,  king  of  men,  he  went 

"  With  chariots  and  horses  to  invite, 

"  Planning  atrocious  deeds ;  and  at  the  feast 

"  Destruction  brought  on  him,  and  slew, 

"  As  at  the  manger  one  would  slay  an  ox.  535 

"  Not  one  of  all  Atrides'  friends  was  left, 

"  Nor  of  JEgisthus  :  all  were  slaughtered  there." 

So  spake  he,  and  my  very  heart  was  crushed. 

Sitting  upon  the  sands  I  wept ;  my  heart 

No  longer  wished  to  live,  nor  sun's  light  see.  540 

But,  when  my  grief  and  agitation  ceased, 

Thus  spoke  the  ancient  prophet  of  the  sea : 

"  Weep  not,  Atrides  !  thus  incessantly, 

"  For  we  shall  gain  no  object ;  but  forthwith 

"  Endeavour  to  thy  native  land  to  go.  545 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  67 

"  Either  thou'lt  find  him  living,  or  perhaps 

11  Orestes,  coming  in  before  thee,  may 

"  Have  slain,  and  thou  but  light  upon  his  tomb." 

He  spake,  and,  grieving  as  I  was,  my  heart 

And  noble  soul  revived  within  my  breast ; 

And  thus  I  spake  to  him  with  winged-words  :  550 

"  These,  then  I  know;  but  now  the  third  man  name, 

"  Who,  living,  by  the  wide  sea  is  detained, 

"  [Or  who  is  dead :  though  grieved  I  fain  would  hear.]" 

o  said  I,  and  forthwith  he  answered  me  : 
"  Laertes'  son,  who  dwells  in  Ithaca  ;  555 

"  I  saw  him  on  an  island  shedding  tears, 
"  In  nymph ^Calypso^s  house,  who  him  by  force 
"  Detains  ;  nor  can  he  to  his  country  go, 
"  For  he  has  neither  well-oared  ships  nor  friends 
"  To  send  him  o'er  the  broad  back  of  the  sea.         5G0 
"  'Tis  not,  0  Menelaus  !  sprung  from  Jove  ! 
"  Thy  fate  in  Argos,  famed  for  steeds,  to  die, 
"  But  to  th'  Elysian  plain,  earth's  furthest  bound, 
"  The  Gods  will  send  thee.     Rhadamanthus  there 
"  Abides,  and  there  the  easiest  life  for  men.  565 

Vl  "  No  winter,  snow,  nor  too  much  rain  is  there, 
"  But  ocean  sends  the  gently -breathing  gales 
"  Of  zephyr,  ever  to  refresh  mankind  •) 
"  For  Helen's  spouse,  Jove's  son-in-law  thou  art." 
He  spake,  and  plunged  beneath  the  foaming  sea.    570 
I  to  my  ship,  with  my  heroic  friends, 
Returned  :  my  heart  much  panted  as  I  went. 
When  to  the  ship  and  to  the  sea  I  came, 
The  supper  we  prepared  ;  the(mght  divine/ 
Came  on,  and,  where  the  sea  waves  broke,  we  slept.  575 


68  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV. 

'  When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 
'  First  to  the  sea  divine  our  ships  we  drew, 

*  Fixed  masts  and  sails  upon  the  well-trimmed  ships. 
4  The  men  embarking  on  the  benches  sate, 

'  And  beat  the  sea  in  order  with  their  oars.  580 

*  Back  on  Egyptus'  Jove -sprung  stream  I  stayed 
4  The  ships,  and  offered  perfect  hecatombs. 

1  When  I  had  soothed  the  anger  of  the  Gods, 

*  I  built  a  tomb  to  Agamemnon's  fame. 

4  This  done,  I  homewrard  turned.  Th'  immortal  Gods  585 
'  Fair  breezes  gave,  and  sent  me  to  my  home. 
/-.    '  But  come,  do  thou  within  my  house  remain 
J     J  Till  the  eleventh  or  the  twelfth  day  come. 
Then  will  I  send  thee  onward,  and  will  give 
Fair  gifts ;  three  horses  and  a  well-wrought  car  j    590 
xl  beauteous  bowl,  that  to  th'  immortal  Gods 
J  Libation  thou  mayst  make,  rememb'ring  me.'         rv^3^*^ 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  \  ■-■         .j*^*^ 
'  0  son  of  Atreus  !  here  detain  me  not :   ^ J  l>r\ 
4  Though  I  would  gladly  stay  with  thee  a  year,         595 

*  And  not  regret  my  parents  or  my  home, 
'  Delighting  greatly  in  thy  tales  and  words. 
4  Yet  now  the  friends  whom  I  at  Pylos  left 

*  Are  grieving  while  thou  here  detain  est  me. 
4  The  cup  thou  giv'st  me  shall  a  keep-sake  be.  600 
4  To  Ithaca  I  will  not  take  the  steeds, 
1  But  leave  them  here,  an  honour  to  thyself. 
4  Thou  rulest  o'er  a  plain  where  trefoil  grows, 
4  Wheat,  rushes,  maize,  white  barley  spreading  wide. 
'  In  Ithaca  nor  meadows  are  nor  plains,                     605 
'  The  goat  more  suited  than  the  horse  to  feed. 


THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    IV.  69 

1  None  of  the  islands  sloping  to  the  sea 

1  Are  for  the  horse-course  suited,  nor  abound 

1  In  meadows ;  Ithaca  beyond  them  all.' 

He  spake:  the  warlike  Menelaus  smiled,  610 

Caressed  him  writh  his  hand,  and  thus  replied  : 

*  Dear  youth  !  thy  words  attest  thy  noble  blood. 
'  I  will  then  change  the  presents,  for  I  can. 

*  Whatever  treasures  in  my  house  are  stored, 

*  The  fairest  and  most  precious  I  will  give. 

1 A  goblet  I  will  give  thee,  fashioned  all  615 

*  Of  silver,  finished  off  with  lips  of  gold, 

1  The  work  of  Vulcan  :  noble  Phaedimus, 
'  The  king  of  the  Sidonians,  gave  it  me 
'  When  his  house  sheltered  me  on  my  return  ; 
1  And  this  to  thee  I  willingly  will  give.' 

Such  converse  they  with  one  another  held.  620 

[To  the  king's  house  the  serving-men  repaired  ; 
Some  led  the  sheep,  some  brought  th'  inspiring  wine. 
The  wives,  with  beauteous  handkerchiefs,  brought  wine ;       * 
And  thus  the  feast  they  in  the  house  prepared.]^^^  ^ 

Meanwhile  the  suitors  in  Ulysses'  hall  &fe 

In  hurling  quoits  and  javelins  took  delight 
On  the  smooth  pavement,  haughty  as  before. 
Antinous  and  fair  Eurymachus, 
Chief  of  the  suitors  and  most  brave,  sate  there. 
Noemon,  son  of  Phronius,  approached,  630 

And  to  Antinous  enquiring  spoke  : 
i  Are  we  aware,  Antinous  !  or  not 
1  From  sandy  Pylos  when  Telemachus 
1  Returned  1  for  he  has  ta'en  my  ship,  and  I 
'  Have  need  of  it  to  Elis'  plains  to  go,  635 


70  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV. 

'  Where  I  have  twelve  mares  with  laborious  mules 
1  Unbroken,  some  of  which  I  wish  to  train.' 

He  spake  ;  they  wondered,  for  they  did  not  know 
That  to  Neleian  Pylos  he  had  gone, 
But  thought  'twas  to  the  swine-herd  or  the  sheep.  640 
Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  replied  : 
1  Tell  me  the  truth  ;  when  went  he,  and  what  youths 

*  Attended  ?  were  they  chosen  Ithacans, 

*  Or  his  own  serfs  and  hirelings  1  this  might  be. 

'  And  this  too  tell  me  true,  that  I  may  know  :  645 

'  Did  he  against  thy  will  the  vessel  take, 

'  Or  didst  thou  give  it,  when  he  urged  his  plea  1 ' 

Noemon,  son  of  Phronius,  replied  : 
1  I  gave  it  to  him.     What  else  could  one  do, 
'  When  such  a  man,  with  troubles  in  his  mind,         650 
'  Kequested !  to  deny  the  gift  were  hard. 
'  The  young  men,  who  among  us  are  esteemed 
'  The  best,  attended.     Mentor  chief  I  saw, 

*  Or  else  some  God,  so  very  like  he  was. 

*  But  this  I  wonder  at ;  for  yesterday,  655 
4  At  early  morning,  I  saw  Mentor  here  ; 

'  But  then  to  Pylos  in  the  ship  he  went.' 

He  spake,  and  to  his  father's  house  repaired, 
And  both  their  minds  with  wonder  were  perplexed. 
They  made  the  suitors  sit  and  cease  their  games. 
Then  spake  Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  660 

[In  grief:  with  gloomy  thoughts  their  minds  were  filled, 
And  his  eyes  sparkled  like  a  fiery  flame]  : 

*  0  strange  !  this  journey  of  Telemachus 

1  Is  a  great  deed,  and  proudly  has  been  done, 
'  But  will  not,  we  suppose,  be  finished  so. 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    IV.  71 

1  In  spite  of  us  so  many,  this  young  boy  665 

1  Has  gone  and  launched  a  ship,  and  chosen  out 
1  The  best  men  of  the  land  :  this  ill  will  grow. 

*  May  Jove  destroy  him  ere  he  ruins  us ! 

1  But  give  me  a  swift  ship,  and  twenty  men,  **/* 

1  That  I  may  lie  in  ambush,  and  keep  watch  &tf  \^5 

*  For  him  upon  his  voyage,  in  the  strait       ^rf^  \  .  "** 
1  That  between  Ithaca  and  Samos  lies  ;    ^^^      <^- 

'  That  sad  may  be  his  voyage  for  his  sire.' 

He  spake  :  they  all  approved,  and  orders  gave, 
And  rising,  went  within  Ulysses'  house. 

Nor  was  Penelope  long  uninformed  675 

Of  what  the  suitors  brooded  in  their  minds. 
Medon,  the  herald,  told  her,  who  without 
The  palace  heard  what  they  devised  within, 
And  went  to  tell  it  to  Penelope. 
Penelope  addressed  him  as  he  passed  680 

Across  the  threshold  :  '  Herald  !  tell  me  why 
'  The  noble  suitors  have  despatched  thee  thus  1 
1  Is  it  to  bid  Ulysses'  maidens  cease 
'  From  labour,  and  prepare  a  feast  for  them  1 
1  May  they  no  more  come  wooing,  nor  combine 
'  In  crowds,  but  eat  their  last  last  supper  here  !       685 
'  Ye  who  in  swarming  bands  much  substance  eat, 
6  The  property  of  wise  Telemachus ; 

*  Nor  from  the  sires,  whose  sons  ye  are,  have  heard 
'  Of  former  days ;  what  man  Ulysses  was, 

1  Not  doing  deed  nor  saying  word  unjust  690 

'  Among  the  people,  as  good  rulers  ought ; 
'  Nor  hated  one  man  and  another  loved, 
1  Nor  did  to  any  act  of  violence  ; 


72  THE   ODYSSEY.  —BOOK    IV. 

'  So  that  your  thoughts  and  deeds  unseemly  are, 

'  Nor  is  there  gratitude  for  favours  past.'  695 

Med  on  with  prudent  thought  to  her  replied  : 
'  Would  that,  0  queen  !  this  were  the  greatest  ill ! 
1  But  one  much  greater  and  more  dangerous 
'  The  suitors  plan,  which  may  not  Jove  complete  ! 
1  With  the  sharp  sword  they  eager  are  to  slay 
'  Telemachus,  as  homeward  he  returns.  700       yp 

'  He  for  some  tidings  of  his  sire  is  gone  f 

'  To  Pylos  and  to  sacred  Sparta's  land.'  ~C 

So  spake  he  ;  and  her  knees  and  heart  grew  weak  /\ 
Silence  from  words  she  kept ;  her  eyes  were  filled  >\j 
With  tears  ;  her  voice  was  stifled  by  her  sobs  :^T  705 
But  with  these  words  at  last  she  made  reply :     (j> 
1  0  herald  !  tell  me  why  my  son  is  gone. 
'  No  need  for  him  in  swift  ships  to  embark, 
'  In  ships  that  are  the  horses  of  the  sea 
1  For  men  to  cross  its  watery  expanse. 
1  Is  it  for  fear  he  leave  no  fame  behind  ? '  710 

Medon  with  prudent  thought  to  her  replied  : 
'  I  know  not  whether  some  divinity 
'  Excited  him,  or  his  own  mind  impelled, 
'  To  go  to  Pylos,  tidings  to  obtain 
*  Or  of  his  sire's  return  or  how  he  died.' 

He  spake,  and  to  Ulysses'  house  retired.  715 

Heart-breaking  grief  o'erwhelmed  her  :  on  no  seat, 
Though  many  were  there,  could  she  bear  to  sit, 
But  on  the  well-wrought  chamber's  floor  she  crouched, 
Piteously  wailing,  and  her  maidens  groaned, 
All  in  the  house  who  were,  both  young  and  old.       720 
Them,  weeping  much,  Penelope  addressed  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IV.  73 

'  Hear,  friends  !  high  Jove  has  more  afflicted  me 

*  Than  all  who  with  me  have  been  born  and  bred  \ 
1  Who  first  my  good  and  valiant  husband  lost, 

*  Among  the  Greeks  for  many  virtues  famed  725 
'  [In  Hellas  and  mid-Argos  wide  his  fame]  ; 

1  Now  storms  have  torn  my  daj^ng^son_away 

'  Inglorious,  nor  heard  I  when  he  went. 

'  Unkind  !  not  one  among  you  had  the  thought 

'  To  rouse  me  from  my  couch,  though  well  aware     730 

*  When  in  the  black  ship  he  designed  to  go. 

*  For,  had  I  heard  that  he  such  voyage  planned, 

'  He  would  have  stayed,  though  eager  to  be  gone, 
1  Or  would  have  left  me  dying  in  the  house. 
1  One  of  you  quickly  call  old  Dolius,  735 

1  The  serf  whom  when  I  came  my  father  gave. 

*  He  tends  the  shady  garden  :  bid  him  go 

'  Quick  to  Laertes  and  these  things  narrate, 

1  To  see  if  he  will  some  wise  scheme  devise, 

1  And  mourning  to  the  people  go,  who  wTish  740 

'  Him  and  the  brave  Ulysses'  son  to  kill.' 

To  her  Euryclea,  her  nurse,  replied : 
1  Dear  daughter  !  kill  me  with  unpitying  sword, 
1  Or  let  me  live  :  no  word  will  I  conceal. 
'  I  knew  it  all ;  I  gave  him  what  he  asked,  745 

'  Food  and  sweet  wine ;  from  me  a  solemn  oath 

*  He  took  that,  till  the  twelfth  day  had  arrived, 

*  Or  till  thyself  shouldst  miss  him,  or  shouldst  hear 
'  Of  his  departure,  I  would  tell  thee  nought, 

1  Lest  thy  fair  form  with  weeping  thou  shouldst  waste. 

*  But  bathe  thyself,  and  put  fresh  garments  on  ;       750 

*  Go  to  thine  upper  chamber  with  thy  maids 


74  THE   QDYSSEY. — BOOK    IV. 

'  And  to  Minerva  pray,  of  mighty  Jove 

'  The  child,  for  she  can  save  him  e'en  from  death. 

*  Vex  not  the  vexed  old  man ;  for  not,  I  deem, 

1  Are  the  descendants  of  Arceisias  755 

*  Utterly  hated  by  the  blessed  Gods. 

1  One  of  them  yet  will  come,  who  will  possess 
1  Their  lofty  houses  and  wide  fertile  fields.' 

She  speaking  soothed  her  moan  and  dried  her  eyes. 
She  bathed  herself  and  put  fresh  garments  on ; 
Went  to  the  upper  chamber  with  her  maids  ;  760 

Offered  the  cakes,  and  to  Minerva  prayed : 
1  Hear  me,  unconquered  child  of  mighty  Jove  ! 

*  If  e'er  the  wise  Ulysses  in  his  house 

'  Fat  thighs  of  ox  or  sheep  has  sacrificed, 

*  Think  now  on  this  for  me,  and  save  my  son,  765 

*  And  those  vile  haughty  suitors  drive  away.' 
She  spake  and  groaned:    the  Goddess  heard  her 

prayer. 
The  suitors  gathered  in  the  shady  halls, 
And  of  the  haughty  youths  thus  some  one  said : 

*  Surely  the  spousal  rites  the  much-wooed  queen     770 

*  Prepares,  nor  knows  what  death  awaits  her  son.' 

Thus  some  one  spake  :  they  knew  not  how  it  was. 
Antinous  harangued  them  thus  and  said  : 
'  Unwise  !  restrain  all  overbearing  words, 

*  Lest  some  one  tidings  bear  the  house  within.  775 
1  Come,  let  us  rise  and  silent  execute 

1  The  plan  agreed  on  in  the  minds  of  all.' 

Thus  speaking  he  selected  twenty  men  : 
Then  to  the  swift  ship  and  the  shore  they  went. 
Into  the  deep  sea  first  of  all  they  drew  780 


THE   ODYSSEY. —BOOK    IV.  75 

The  ship,  and  masts  and  sails  they  placed  within  j 
Upon  the  leathern  rowlocks  fixed  the  oars, 
All  in  due  order,  and  the  white  sails  spread, 
While  the  proud  servants  brought  the  tackling  in. 
They  anchored  in  the  deep ;  then  disembarked,       785 
Took  food,  and  waited  till  the  evening  came. 

Penelope  lay  in  the  upper  room 
Fasting,  and  tasting  neither  food  nor  drink, 
Revolving  if  her  son  would  death  escape, 
Or  by  the  haughty  suitors  be  destroyed.  790 

As  when  a  lion  in  a  crowd  of  men 
Fears  when  they  form  a  treacherous  circle  round, 
So  sweet  sleep  came  on  her  revolving  thus, 
And,  with  her  limbs  relaxed,  she  lay  and  slept. 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  then  had  other  thoughts.        795 
She  made  an  image  in  a  woman's  form, 
Like  to  Iphthime,  who  the  daughter  was 
Of  brave  Icarius,  whom  Eumelus  took 
To  wife,  in  Pherse  having  his  abode. 
She  sent  her  to  divine  Ulysses'  house, 
That  she  might  make  the  sad  Penelope  800 

To  cease  from  weeping  and  from  tearful  groans. 
She  to  her  chamber  went,  the  bolt  withdrew, 
Stood  o'er  her  head,  and  then  addressed  her  thus : 
*  Sleep'st  thou,  Penelope  !  with  grieving  heart  1 
'  The  Gods  who  live  at  ease  permit  thee  not  805 

'  To  weep  and  wail :  thy  son  will  home  return, 
'  Because  he  has  not  sinned  against  the  Gods.' 

To  her  the  wise  Penelope  replied, 
While  sweetly  slumb'ring  in  the  dreamy  gates  : 
1  Why,  sister !  com'st  thou  hither  ?  not  before  810 


76  THE   ODYSSEY.— BOOK    IV. 

'  Was  it  thy  wont,  who  dwell'st  so  far  away. 

1  Thou  bidd'st  me  cease  from  wailing,  and  the  griefs 

'  Which  num'rous  agitate  my  mind  and  thoughts, 

'  Who  first  my  good  and  valiant  husband  lost, 

1  Among  the  Greeks  for  varied  virtues  famed ;  815 

1  [In  Hellas  and  mid-Argos  wide  his  fame.] 

1  Now  in  the  ship  my  darling  son  has  gone, 

'  Young,  ignorant  of  councils  and  of  toils  ; 

'  And  more  I  grieve  for  him  than  for  his  sire, 

'  And  tremble  for  him  lest  some  ill  he  meet,  820 

'  Or  on  the  land  he  goes  to  or  the  sea. 

'  For  many  enemies  against  him  plot, 

'  And  seek  to  kill  him  ere  he  home  arrives.' 

The  image,  indistinctly  seen,  replied : 
'  Take  courage ;  fear  not  in  thy  mind  too  much.      825 
'  A  guardian  leads  him,  such  as  other  men 
'  Pray  to  stand  by  them,  for  indeed  she  can, 
'  Minerva :  she  compassionates  thy  grief, 
'  Who  sends  me  hither  now  to  tell  thee  this.' 

The  wise  Penelope  replied  and  said  :  830 

1  If  God  thou  art  and  hear'st  the  voice  of  God, 
4  Come  tell  me  of  that  other  wretched  man, 
'  If  yet  he  lives  and  yet  the  sun's  light  sees, 
'  Or  if  he's  dead  and  is  in  Pluto's  halls.' 

The  image,  indistinctly  seen,  replied:  835 

■  I  will  not  tell  thee  plainly  if  he  lives 
*  Or  if  he's  dead ;  'tis  wrong  vain  words  to  speak.' 

The  image  spake,  and  by  the  portal's  bar 
Into  the  breezy  air  retired,  and  she, 
Icarius'  daughter,  rose  up  from  her,sleep.  840 

Her  heart  was  lightened,  for  a  dream  distinct 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V.  77 

Had  come  upon  her  in  the  dead  of  night. 

Meanwhile  the  suitors  went  on  board  and  sailed 
Upon  the  wat'ry  way,  and  dreadful  death 
Planned  in  their  minds  against  Telemachus. 
In  the  mid- sea  a  certain  rocky  isle  &15 

'Tween  Ithaca  and  rugged  Samos  lies, 
Called  Asteris,  not  large  :  the  harbour's  mouthy 
Is  double  :  there  the  lurking  suitors  lay.  " 


gW 


is 

BOOK    V.  J^ 

^^ 
Aurora,  from  the  famed  Tithonus'  side, 
Sprang  from  her  couch  with  light  for  Gods  and  men. 
The  Gods  were  sitting  on  their  thrones,  and  «j£>v£ 
Among  them,  thund'rer,  God  of  greatest  might. 
Minerva  to  their  mem'ry  brought  and  told  5 

The  many  sorrows  which  Ulysses  had, 
In  the  nymph's  house  the  object  of  her  care  : 
1  0  father  Jove  !  and  ye  immortal  Gods  ! 
'  Henceforth  let  never  sceptre -bearing  king 
'  Strive  to  be  gentle,  mild  and  well-disposed. 
'  Let  him  be  stern,  and  godless  deeds  commit,  10 

'  Since  none  of  those  o'er  whom  he  reigned  recalls 

*  What  a  kind  sire  divine  Ulysses  was. 
fefow  on  an  island,  suffring  many  woes, 
(mi  nymph  Calypso's  house  he  lies,  while  she 

f  Detains  him  that  he  cannot  homeward  go.  15 

*  No  ships  equipped  with  oars  nor  friends  has  he 
'  Who  can  escort  him  o'er  the  broad  sea's  back. 


I 


78  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    V. 

1  His  much-loved  son  they  now  desire  to  kill 
'  Returning  to  his  home ;  for  he  is  gone, 

*  To  learn  some  tidings  of  his  absent  sire, 

*  To  Pylos  and  to  sacred  Sparta's  land.'  20 

The  cloud -compelling  Jove  replied  and  said  : 
'  My  child  !   what  word  has  issued  from  thy  lips  1 
1  Was  it  not  thou  that  didst  devise  a  plan 
'  That  he  should  come  and  vengeance  on  them  take  ? 

*  Guide  skilfully  Telemachus  (thou  canst)  25 
'  That  scatheless  to  his  country  he  may  go, 

And  in  their  ship  the  suitors  quick  return.' 
He  spake,  and  Mercury  his  son  addressed  : 

*  Go,  Mercury  !  thou  art  my  messenger, 

*  And  tell  the  fair-haired  nymph  our  firm  design       30 
1  That  home  the  brave  Ulysses  shall  return, 

*  Not  with  the  escort  or  of  Gods  or  men, 

*  But  let  him  go  upon  a  well-bound  raft, 

'  And,  suff'ring  much,  upon  the  twentieth  day 

'  Reach  fertile  Scheria,  the  Phceacians'  land,  35 

*  Men  almost  godlike,  who  will  honour  him 

'  As  though  he  were  a  God  with  all  their  heart, 

'  And  in  a  ship  will  send  him  to  his  home  ; 

'  Brass,  gold,  and  vests  abundantly  bestow ; 

'  More  than  Ulysses  would  have  brought  from  Troy, 

'  Had  he  come  safe  and  with  his  share  of  spoil.  40 

'  Thus  it  is  fate  that  he  his  friends  should  see, 

1  And  to  his  high -roofed  house  and  country  come.' 

He  spoke,  nor  Argeiphontes  disobeyed. 
Forthwith  he  bound  fair  sandals  on  his  feet, 
Ambrosial,  golden,  which  o'er  earth  and  sea  45 

Would  bear  him  swift  as  breezes  of  the  wind. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V.  79 

The  rod  he  took,  wherewith  at  will  he  soothes 
The  eyes  of  men,  and  wakes  again  from  sleep : 
This  holding  mighty  Argeiphontes  flew, 
And  reached  Pieria  from  the  npper  air.  50 

He  lighted  on  the  sea,  and  o'er  the  wave 
Skimmed,  like  a  gull,  which  in  the  dreadful  gulfs 
Of  the  unfruitful  sea,  in  search  of  fish, 
Wets  in  the  spray  its  closely-feathered  wings ; 
So  o'er  the  many  waves  rode  Mercury. 
But,  to  the  distant  island  when  he  came,  55 

From  the  dark  sea  he  went  upon  the  ground, 
Till  to  the  mighty  cave  he  came,  where  dwelt 
The  fair-haired  nymph,  and  her  within  he  found. 
A  fire  was  burning  on  the  hearth  ;  the  scent 
Of  the  cleft  cedar  and  the  sandal  wood  60 

Was  fragrant  through  the  island  as  they  blazed. 
She,  singing  with  her  lovely  voice  the  while, 
A  golden  shuttle  plied  and  wove  a  web. 
A  grove  grew  flourishing  around  the  cave, 
The  alder,  poplar,  and  the  cypress  sweet. 
Birds  with  their  long-stretched  necks  were  nestling 
there,  65 

Owls,  hawks,  and  cormorants  with  chattering  tongues  ; 
Sea-birds  that  have  their  work  upon  the  waves. 
A  vine  extended  o'er  the  hollow  cave 
Of  vig'rous  growth,  luxuriant  with  grapes. 
Four  fountains  poured  their  limpid  water  forth,         70 
Each  to  the  other  turning  with  its  stream. 
With  violets  and  parsley  bloomed  the  meads 
Around ;  and  even  an  immortal  God 
Who  came  would  look  with  pleasure  at  the  sight. 


80  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V. 

Hermes,  the  messenger,  there  stood  and  gazed.  75 

When  in  his  mind  he  had  admired  it  all, 

Into  the  cavern  wide  forthwith  he  went. 

Divine  Calypso  knew  him  when  she  saw  : 

Not  to  each  other  are  the  Gods  unknown, 

However  far  apart  they  each  may  dwell.  80 

He  did  not  find  the  brave  Ulysses  there  : 

He  on  the  beach  sate  weeping  as  before, 

[Vexing  his  mind  with  tears,  and  groans  and  griefs, 

Tearfully  gazing  o'er  the  barren  sea]. 

Divine  Calypso  questioned  Mercury,  85 

When  she  had  placed  him  on  a  shining  throne  : 

*  Why  com'st  thou,  Hermes  of  the  golden  rod  ! 

'  Thou,  reverend  and  dear  !  who  com'st  not  oft  1 
1  Tell  me  thy  purpose,  which  I  would  perform 
1  If  but  I  can,  and  it  can  be  performed. 
1  [Advance  and  take  my  hospitality.]' 

So  spake  the  Goddess,  and  a  table  set 
Piled  with  ambrosia  and  the  nectar  red. 
Hermes,  the  messenger,  both  eat  and  drank. 
When  with  the  feast  he  satisfied  his  mind,  95 

Then  with  these  words  he  answered  her  and  said : 

*  Goddess  !  a  God  thou  questionest ;  but  I 

'  Will  tell  the  truth,  for  such  is  thy  command. 

c  Jove  ordered  me,  against  my  wish,  to  come. 

1  Who  willingly  so  much  salt  sea  would  cross,  100 

'  Immense  1  no  city  is  there  near  of  men 

'  Who  offer  to  the  Gods  choice  hecatombs  j 

'  But  still  the  will  of  segis-bearing  Jove 

'  No  other  God  may  thwart  or  render  void. 

'  He  says  that  there  is  with  thee  one  most  grieved  105 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    V.  81 

1  Of  all  men  who  round  Priam's  city  fought 

'  Nine  years  ;  destroyed  it  in  the  tenth  ;  and  went 

*  Homeward  :  but  Pallas  they  on  their  return 
'  Offended  :  she  foul  wind  and  mighty  waves 

1  Raised  up  against  them  [and  the  rest  all  died  j       HO 
1  But  him  the  winds  and  waves  have  hither  brought], 

*  Him  Jove  commands  that  thou  shouldst  send  away      . 

*  With  speed  :  ^tja^njygj^^ 

*  Here  in  this  land,  far  parted  from  his  friends  : 

*  But  'tis  his  lot  to  see  his  friends,  and  go 

■  To  his  high  house  and  his  paternal  land.'  115 

Divine  Calypso  shuddered  as  he  spoke, 
And  then  addressed  him  with  these  winged  words  : 
1  Hard  above  all  and  jealous  are  ye  Gods, 

*  Who  grudge  that  Goddesses  should  mate  with  men 

1  In  open  wedlock,  should  one  choose  a  spouse.         120 

*  Aurora  of  the  rosy  fingers  chose 

|  Orion,  and  ye  tranquil  Gods  were  wroth. 
'  [Him  chaste  Diana  of  the  golden  throne 

*  Slew  in  Ortygia  with  her  painless  darts.] 

'  So  fair-haired  Ceres  with  Iasion,  125 

*  To  passion  yielding,  was  in  wedlock  joined 

*  In  the  thrice  furrowed  field  ;  not  long  unknown 
1  To  Jove,  who  killed  him  with  his  gleaming  bolt. 

*  Ye  Gods  are  jealous  that  a  mortal  man 

1  Is  here,  whom  clinging  to  the  keel  I  saved  ISO 

1  Alone,  when  Jove  with  gleaming  bolt  had  struck 

'  His  ship,  and  wrecked  it  in  the  gloomy  sea. 

'  His  good  companions  all  were  there  destroyed, 

'  But  him  the  winds  and  billows  hither  drove. 

'  Kindly  I  treated,  fed  him,  and  proposed  M3 

G 


82  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   V. 

1  To  make  him  deathless,  youthful,  all  his  days. 

4  But,  since  the  will  of  segis-bearing  Jove 

'  No  other  God  may  thwart  or  render  void, 

'  Let  him  depart,  since  thus  he  gives  command, 

1  Over  the  barren  sea ;  but  I  will  not  14W 

1  Convey  him,  for  T  have  not  ships  nor  friends 

'  Who  may  conduct  him  o'er  the  broad  sea's  back : 

'  But  willing  I  will  tell  him,  nor  conceal, 

1  How  scatheless  he  his  native  land  may  reach.' 

Hermes,  the  messenger,  to  her  replied  :  145 

*  Send  him  away  then,  and  Jove's  wrath  respect, 
'  Lest  afterwards  with  thee  he  be  enraged.' 

Strong  Mercury  thus  spoke  and  went  away. 
Soon  as  the  nymph  adorable  had  heard 
Jove's  message,  she  to  brave  Ulysses  went.  150 

She  found  him  on  the  shore  ;  his  eyes  from  tears 
Were  never  dry  :  his  sweet  life  ebbed  away      , 
In  grief  for  home  ;  the  nymph  no  longer  pleased, 
Though  by  her  in  the  cave  at  night  he  slept  186 

Perforce,  unwilling  by  a  willing  spouse. 
By  day  he  sate  upon  the  rocks  and  beach, 
Vexing  his  mind  with  tears,  and  groans  and  griefs, 
And  weeping  looked  upon  the  barren  sea. 
The  Goddess  standing  near  him  thus  addressed  : 
'  Weep  not,  ill-fated  one  !  nor  let  thy  life  1(5° 

'  Thus  pine  away  ;  I'll  freely  let  thee  go. 
'  Come,  cut  long  timbers  with  an  axe,  and  frame 
1  A  raft ;  upon  it  fix  a  lofty  deck 
'  That  it  may  bear  thee  o'er  the  gloomy  sea. 
1  Food,  water,  and  red  wine  I  '11  place  therein,  165 

'  To  cheer  thine  heart  and  hunger  drive  away  ; 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    V.  83 

1  Will  clothe  thee,  and  will  send  a  fav'ring  breeze, 
'  That  thou  mayst  scatheless  to  thy  country  go, 

*  If  the  Gods  will,  who  in  the  broad  sky  dwell, 

*  Stronger  than  I  to  plan  and  execute. '  170 

She  spake  :  Ulysses,  man  of  sufferings  great, 
Shuddered,  and  thus  with  winged  words  replied  : 
1  0  Goddess  !  surely  something  else  than  this 
'  Thou  plannest,  not  at  all  my  voyage  home  ; 
'  Who  bidd'st  me  on  a  raft  the  sea's  vast  depth 
1  Dread,  difficult  to  cross,  which  not  e'en  ships         175 
1  Equal  and  swift,  rejoicing  in  Jove's  breeze, 

*  May  pass.     I  would  not  'gainst  thy  will  embark 

*  Upon  a  raft,  unless,  0  Goddess  !  thou 

1  Wouldst  deign  to  swear  to  me  a  mighty  oath 
6  No  other  ill  against  me  to  devise.' 

Thus  as  he  spoke  divine  Calypso  smiled,  180 

Caressed  him  with  her  hand,  and  thus  replied : 
'  Sure  thou  art  crafty,  skilled  in  no  vain  arts, 
1  Who  hadst  the  thought  to  offer  such  a  speech. 
'  Let  earth  attest,  and  heaven  stretched  above, 

*  And  water  of  the  Styx  which  rolls  below 

1  (Oath  greatest,  strongest  for  the  blessed  Gods),      i&> 

1  That  I  no  evil  will  against  thee  plan ; 

'  But  I  will  counsel  and  contrive  for  thee 

J  What,  were  there  need,  I'd  purpose  for  myself. 
/My  mind  is  upright,  and  my  heart  within/)  190 

V  My  breast  not  iron  but  compassionate.'     '( 
The  Goddess  spake,  and  quickly  led  the  way, 

And  he  her  footsteps  followed  as  she  went, 

Entering  the  cave,  the  Goddess  and  the  man. 

Upon  the  seat  whence  Hermes  rose  he  sate,  195v 


84  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V. 

And  the  nymph  placed  before  him  ev'ry  food 

To  eat  and  drink ;  such  food  as  mortals  eat. 

She  of  divine  Ulysses  sate  in  front ; 

The  maidens  nectar  and  ambrosia  brought 

For  her  j  and  on  the  feast  their  hands  they  laid.      200 

When  they  with  meat  and  drink  were  satisfied, 

Divine  Calypso  converse  thus  began  : 

'  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

1  Dost  thou  to  home  and  thy  dear  native  land  205 

'  Thus  long  to  go  ?  if  so  may  good  betide  ! 

'  But  didst  thou  know  what  woes  it  is  thy  fate 

'  To  suffer,  ere  arriving  at  thy  home, 

1  Here  thou  wouldst  stay  with  me  and  guard  this  house, 

'  And  be  immortal,  eager  though  to  see 

1  Thy  wife,  whom  thou  art  always  pining  for.  210 

'  And  yet  I  boast  that  not  inferior 

1  Am  I  to  her  in  form  or  countenance ; 

'  Nor  is  it  fit  in  beauty  or  in  shape 

'  For  mortals  with  immortals  to  contend.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said : 
'  Goddess  adorable  !  0  not  for  this  215 

'  Be  angry  with  me  !  for  I  know  full  well 

*  That  chaste  Penelope  must  yield  to  thee 

*  To  look  upon,  in  figure  and  in  face, 

1  She  mortal,  thou  immortal,  ever  young. 

1  But  even  so  I  wish  and  long  all  day 

'  For  home,  and  my  returning  day  to  see.  220 

'  If  some  God  wreck  me  on  the  darksome  wave 

'  I  will  endure,  and  have  a  patient  mind. 

'  Already  woes  and  toils  I  have  endured 

'  In  waves  and  wars;  let  this  to  them  be  joined.' 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    V.  85 

He  spake :  the  sun  went  down  and  darkness  came. 

They,  going  to  the  hollow  cave's  recess,  225 

Each  by  the  other  stayed  and  joyed  in  love. 

When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 

Ulysses  put  his  vest  and  mantle  on. 

The  nymph  a  cloak  of  silv'ry  whiteness  took  230 

Slender  and  graceful ;  put  around  her  waist 

A  golden  belt,  upon  her  head  a  veil ; 

Then  planned  to  send  Ulysses  on  his  way. 

She  gave  into  his  hands  a  mighty  axe, 

Well-fitted,  brazen,  sharpened  on  both  sides,  235 

With  a  fair  olive  handle  fixed  therein ; 

A  polished  hatchet  next,  and  led  the  way 

To  th'  isle's  extremity  where  tall  trees  grew, 

The  alder,  poplar,  and  the  tow'ring  pine, 
Dry  and  well-seasoned,  which  would  lightly  float.    240 
When  she  had  shewn  him  where  the  tall  trees  grew, 
Divine  Calypso  to  her  house  returned. 
But  he  cut  beams  and  quickly  did  the  work. 
Twenty  he  felled  and  lopped  them  with  the  axe, 
Smoothed  skilfully  and  straightened  by  the  line.      245 
Divine  Calypso  then  the  gimlets  brought  ; 
He  drilled  the  planks  and  fitted  each  to  each, 
And  hammered  skilfully  the  bolts  and  joints. 
Such  a  ship's  frame,  broad  and  for  burthen  fit, 
•  As  one  would  fashion  skilled  in  shipwright's  art,       250 
Such  frame  upon  the  _raf£,  Ulysses  made. 
He  formed  the  deck,  compact  with  frequent  spars, 
And  with  long  planks  he  made  the  raft  complete. 
He  formed  the  mast  and  fitted  on  the  yard, 
He  made  a  rudder  to  direct  its  course,  255 


86  THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    V. 

And  guarded  it  throughout  with  willow  rods, 
Defence  against  the  waves,  and  put  much  on. 
Divine  Calypso  then  the  canvas  brought 
To  form  the  sails,  and  these  he  made  with  skill  ; 
The  braces,  shrouds  and  ropes  therein  he  bound,     260 
And  dragged  it  down  with  levers  to  the  sea. 

'Twas  the  fourth  day,  and  all  was  now  complete  : 
Him  on  the  fifth  divine  Calypso  sent 
From  th'  island,  clothing  first  in  fragrant  vests, 
And  bathing.     Then  the  Goddess  put  on  board 
Of  the  black  wine  one  skin,  of  water  one,  265 

And  of  co^kedmeats  a  plentiful  supply ) 
And  made  a  fav'ring  gentle  wind  to  blow. 
Rejoicing  in  the  breeze,  Ulysses  spread 
The  sails,  and  sitting  at  the  helm  he  steered,  270 

Watching  the  ELeiads  and  Bootes,  slow 
To  set,  and  Arctos,  which  men  call  the  wain, 
Which,  turning  on  itself,  Orion  spies, 
Alone  not  sharing  in  the  ocean's  bath.  275 

Calypso,  nymph  divine,  had  bade  him  keep 
This  on  the  left  hand  as  he  sailed  along. 
Over  the  sea  for  s£y^nteen_daya  he  sailed  ; 
On  the  _ejghteenth_appeared  the  shady  hills 
Where  the  Phseacian  land  the  nearest  was,  280  . 

Which  like  a  shield  seemed  on  the  dusky  sea. 
Him  royal  Neptune  saw,  as  he  returned 
From  ^Ethiopia,  from  the  distant  hills 
Of  Solymi,  thus  sailing  o'er  the  sea  ; 
And  more  than  ever  in  his  heart  enraged, 
Shaking  his  head,  he  thus  himself  addressed  :  285 

*  Strange  !  how  the  other  Gods  their  plans  have  changed 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    V.  87 

1  About.  Ulysses,  while  I  absent  was 

'  In  ^Ethiopia  ;  and  now  he  comes 

1  Near  the  Phseacian  land  ;  whence  fate  decrees 

1  That  he  the  great  woe  which  draws  near  escape : 

'  Still  I  propose  to  send  him  woe  enough.'  290 

Speaking  he  piled  the  clouds  and  stirred  the  sea, 
Holding  the  trident  in  his  hand,  and  roused 
The  blasts  of  all  the  winds ;  and  earth  and  sea 
Covered  with  clouds,  while  night  rushed  down  the  sky. 
Eurus  and  Notus,  Zephyr  violent,  295 

And  stormy  Boreas  rolling  mighty  waves 
Came  rushing  on  j  Ulysses'  knees  and  heart 
Fainted,  and  troubled  to  himself  he  said  : 
'  0  wretched  me  !  what  will  fall  out  at  last  1 
1  The  Goddess  has,  I  fear,  told  all  things  true,  300 

'  Who  said  that  I  should  suffer  woes  at  sea 
'  Before  that  to  my  native  land  T  came. 

*  This  now  is  done.     0  with  what  dreadful  clouds 
1  Does  Jupiter  the  spreading  sky  surround, 

*  And  stir  the  sea,  while  blasts  of  every  wind  305 
1  Come  rushing  on  !     Now  is  my  fate  assured. 

'  Thrice,  four  times  happy  were  the  Greeks  who  died 

*  In  Troy's  wide  plain  for  the  Atrides'  sake. 

*  0  that  I  there  had  died  and  met  my  fate 

Vrv/  ^Pon  ^Qa,t  ^ay  wnen  many  Trojans  hurled  310 

)[}       ''  Darts  o'er  Achilles'  corpse  !  funereal  rites 

*  I  should  have  had,  and  honour  from  the  Greeks  ; 
1  Now  an  ignoble  death  I'm  doomed  to  die.' 

Against  a  rock  a  great  wave,  as  he  spoke, 
Dashed  him,  and  rushing  on,  whirled  round  the  raft. 
Far  from  the  raft  he  fell,  and  from  his  hands  315 


88  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V. 

/ 

Let  go  the  rudder  j  and  the  dreadful  storm 
Of  mingled  winds  came  on  and  broke  the  mast ; 
And  shrouds  and  deck  fell  down  into  the  sea. 
Long  time  it  overwhelmed  him,  nor  could  he 
Rise  quickly  from  the  billows'  mighty  force,  320 

The  vests  Calypso  gave  so  weighed  him  down. 
He  rose  at  last,  ejecting  from  his  mouth 
The  bitter  brine  which  fiWed  abundant  down. 
Yet  did  he  not  in  this  distress  forget 
The  raft,  but  turning  seized  it  in  the  waves,  325 

And  sate  avoiding  death ;  the  mighty  sea 
Hither,  and  thither,  bore  him  on  its  flood. 
As  when  autumnal  Boreas  sweeps  the  thorns, 
That  closely  cling  together,  o'er  the  plain ; 
So  the  storm  hither,  thither,  drove  the  sea.^^v^  330 
Notus  let  ftoreas  urge  the  raft  along  •  A^K' 
To  Zephyr^Eurus  yielded  the  pursuit.!^ 
Him  the  fair-ankled  child  of  Cadmus  saw, 
Ino  Leucothea,  who  mortal  voice 
Had  once,  but  in  the  sea's  wTaves  now  obtained        335 
A  God's  renown.     When  she  Ulysses  saw, 
She  pitied  him,  a  wand'rer  woe-begone 
[And  like  a  sea-gull  rose  from  'neath  the  deep.] 
She  sate  upon  the  well -joined  raft  and  said  : 
'  0  why  is  Neptune,  ruler  of  the  sea, 
'  With  thee,  ill-fated  man  !  so  much  displeased  1      340 
'  Why  does  he  plan  so  many  woes  for  thee  ? 
*  He  will  not  slay  thee,  though  so  much  enraged. 
1  This  do,  for  not  unwise  thou  seem'st  to  be ; 
1  Thy  garments  doff,  and  for  the  winds  to  toss 
v^"'  The  raft  abandon,  swimming  with  thine  hands. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V.  89 

1  Seek  to  arrive  on  the  Phseacian  shore, 

1  Where  it  is  fated  that  thou  shalt  escape.  345 

'  Come,  this  ambrosial  fillet  take  and  bind 

'  Beneath  thy  breast,  and  fear  not  pain  nor  death. 

'  When  the  firm  earth  thou  graspest  with  thine  hands, 

1  Unbind  and  cast  it  in  the  gloomy  sea 

'  Far  from  the  land,  and  turn  thyself  away.'  350 

Thus  spake  the  Goddess,  and  the  fillet  gave ; 
And  like  a  sea-gull  'neath  the  foaming  wave 
She  plunged,  and  her  the  gloomy  sea  concealed. 
Patient  Ulysses,  god-like  man,  took  thought, 
And,  troubled,  thus  his  mighty  heart  addressed  :     355 
'  Alas  !  0  may  not  some  one  of  the  Gods 
'  Be  planning  a  deceit  against  me  here, 
'  When  from  the  raft  she  bids  me  to  depart ! 
'  I'd  better  not  obey ;  for  with  mine  eyes 
'  I've  seen  the  land  to  which  she  bids  me  flee. 
'  But  this  I'll  do,  for  thus  it  seems  the  best :  360 

'  Long  as  the  planks  shall  to  the  joints  adhere, 
'  So  long  I'll  stay  and  patiently  endure. 
1  But  when  the  wave  has  broken  up  the  raft, 
'  Then  will  I  swim ;  there  is  no  better  plan.' 

While  thus  he  meditated  in  his  mind,  365 

Earth-shaking  Neptune  drove  a  mighty  wave, 
Horrid,  o'erwhelming,  fierce ;  and  struck  him  down, 
As  when  a  rushing  wind  disturbs  a  heap 
Of  withered  husks,  and  scatters  here  and  there, 
So  scattered  he  the  planks.     Ulysses  then  370 

Strode  on  a  plank,  as  riding  on  a  horse. 
He  doffed  the  garments  which  Calypso  gave, 
And  braced  the  fillet  underneath  his  breast ; 


90  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V. 

Fell  headlong  in  the  sea,  and  stretched  his  hands, 
Eager  to  swim.     When  him  king  Neptune  saw,       375 

^  Shaking  his  head  thus  to  himself  he  said  : 
'  Go,  suff'ring  man !  now  wander  o'er  the  sea, 
'  Till  thou  hast  mingled  with  the  Jove -sprung  men  ; 
*  Nor  will  thy  sorrows  so,  I  hope,  be  light.' 

Thus  having  said,  he  lashed  his  fair -haired  steeds,  380 
And  went  to  Mgsd  where  his  famed  house  is. 
Minerva,  child  of  Jove,  had  other  thoughts ; 
She  stayed  the  courses  of  the  other  winds, 
And  bid  them  all  to  cease  and  to  repose. 
Swift  Boreas  she  roused ;  but  broke  the  waves         385 
Until  divine  Ulysses  should  consort 

j  With  the  Phseacians,  men  who  take  delight 

\Jn  rowing,  having  death  and  fate  escaped. 
Two  days,  two  nights,  upon  the  swollen  wave 
He  strayed,  and  much  his  heart  foreboded  death : 
But  when  fair-haired  Aurora  closed  the  third,  390 

Then  ceased  the  wind  to  blow  :  a  breathless  calm 
Came  on,  and  he  the  neighb'ring  land  descried, 
Acutely  gazing,  lifted  on  a  wave. 
As  to  his  children  seems  a  father's  life 
Welcome,  when  lying  in  some  sore  disease 
He  wastes  away,  while  cruel  fate  attacks,  395 

i  And  the  Gods  make  him  welcome,  freed  from  pain ; 
So  welcome  to  Ulysses  land  and  wood 
Appeared,  and  eager  to  the  shore  he  swam. 
When  he  was  distant  as  a  man  can  shout,  400 

He  heard  the  sound  of  waves  against  the  rocks. 
A  great  wave  roaring  broke  upon  the  shore 
With  violence,  and  all  was  wrapt  in  foam. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   V.  91 

No  harbour  there,  a  refuge  for  the  ships, 
No  shelter  j  all  was  rocks  and  crags  and  cliffs.         405 
Then  were  Ulysses'  heart  and  knees  unstrung, 
And  troubled  to  his  own  brave  mind  he  said  : 

*  Ah  me  !  though  Jove  has  granted  me  to  see 
1  The  land  unhoped  for,  and  successfully 

'  I've  cut  my  way  through  this  abyss,  yet  still 
1  From  the  white  billows  no  escape  appears.  410 

'  Sharp  crags  in  front ;  a  wave  that  roars  around ; 
'  And  a  sheer  precipice  runs  up  above. 

*  The  sea  is  all  around ;  nor  is  there  place 

'  For  both  my  feet  to  stand  and  woe  escape. 
■  May  the  great  wave  not  dash  me  on  the  crag         415 
'  When  landing  !  dreadful  would  my  struggle  be. 
^  Should  T  swim  further  on  and  find  a  shore 
'  And  shelt'ring  rocks  projecting  from  the  sea, 
'  I  fear  the  ebb  may  hurry  me  away, 
'  And  bear  me  groaning  to  the  fishy  sea ;  420 

*  Or  a  sea-monster  from  the  deep  some  God 
'  May  send,  for  many  Amphitrite  breeds ; 
'And  Neptune  with  me  is,  I  know,  enraged.' 

While  this  he  thought  of  in  his  heart  and  mind, 
A  great  wave  bore  him  on  the  rocky  shore.  425 

Torn  would  his  skin,  his  bones  have  broken  been,      Qr"V~ 4 
But  that  Minerva  gave  his  mind  a  thought.  ^^^''(jVa^-- 
Struggling  with  both  his  hands  he  clutched  the  rock, 
And  groaning  held  it  till  the  wave  had  past ; 
And  so  he  shunned  it ;  but  when  flowing  back         430 
It  struck  and  bore  him  struggling  out  to  sea. 
As  from  its  cell  a  polypus  is  torn, 
And  stones  are  firmly  by  its  suckers  grasped ; 


92  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   \. 

So  by  the  rocks  from  off  his  stalwart  hand,. 
The  skin  was  torn,  and  o'er  him  came  a  wave.  435 

And  surely  there,  though  contrary  to  fate, 
Unfortunate  Ulysses  would  have  died, 
Had  not  Minerva  given  him  calm  thought. 
Emerging  from  the  wave  which  lashed  the  shore 
He  swam  aside,  still  looking  to  the  land, 
If  either  sloping  shore  or  jutting  rock  440 

He  could  discern,  a  refuge  from  the  sea. 
When  a  jair-flowing  nverjjnouth  he  reached 
By  swimming,  there  the  place  appeared  the  best, 
As  free  from  rock  and  sheltered  from  the  wind. 
The  flowing  stream  he  recognised,  and  prayed  : 
'  Hear  me,  0  king  !  whoever  thou  mayst  be. 
'  Beseeching  thee  with  many  pray'rs,  I  come,  445 

'  Flying  the  threats  of  Neptune,  from  the  sea. 
'  He  is  respected,  even  by  the  Gods, 
■  Whoe'er  he  be  that  comes  a  wanderer, 
1  As  to  thy  stream  and  knees  I  suffering  come. 
'  Have  pity,  king  !  thy  suppliant  I  am.'  450 

He  spake :  and  he  forthwith  the  stream  restrained, 
Kept  back  his  waves,  and  made  a  calm  in  front, 
And  saved  him  at  the  outlet  of  the  flood. 
He  let  his  knees  and  stalwart  hands  droop  down, 
For  his  dear  heart  was  conquered  by  the  sea. 
His  flesh  was  swollen,  and  sea- water  welled  455 

Forth  from  his  mouth  and  nostrils  ;  and  he  lay 
Breathless  and  voiceless,  fainting  with  fatigue. 
But  when  again  he  breathed  and  sense  returned, 
The  fillet  of  the  Goddess  from  his  breast 
He  loosed,  and  cast  it  in  the  sea-mixt  stream,  460 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   V.  93 

And  a  great  wave  conveyed  it  down  the  flood, 
Where  Ino  quickly  took  it  in  her  hands. 
He  from  the  river  hasting  bent  him  down 
Upon  the  sedge,  and  kissed  the  fertile  ground, 
And,  troubled,  to  his  own  brave  mind  he  said  : 

*  0  how  I  suffer  !  what  will  come  at  last  1  465 
'  If  in  the  stream  the  painful  night  I  watch, 

'  Hoar  frost  and  cold  dew  may  together  quench 

*  My  little  life  now  fainting  with  fatigue ; 

'  Cold  blows  the  river's  breeze  before  the  dawn. 

*  But  if  the  bank  I  climb,  and  fall  asleep  470 

*  In  the  thick  bushes  of  the  shady  grove, 

'  Though  cold  and  weariness  may  leave  me  free, 

*  And  sweet  sleep  come  upon  me,  yet  I  fear 

1  Lest  of  wild  beasts  I  should  become  the  prey.' 

This  as  be  meditated  seemed  the  best ; 
And  to  the  grove  he  went ;  he  found  it  near  475 

The  water,  in  an  open  space,  and  came 
Upon  two  shrubs,  both  springing  from  one  stem, 
This  of  the  mastic,  that  the  olive-tree. 
Through  them  nor  blows  the  force  of  wat'ry  winds  ; 
Nor  strikes  the  sun  when  shining  with  its  rays, 
Nor  penetrates  the  rain  ;  so  thick  they  grow,  480 

Each  with  the  other's  branches  intertwined. 
Ulysses  crept  beneath,  and  with  his  hands 
Piled  the  wide  couch  ;  for  there  abundantly 
Were  shed  of  leaves  as  many  as  might  well 
Two  men  or  three  protect  in  time  of  storm, 
However  it  might  furiously  rage.  485 

Divine  Ulysses  saw  it  and  rejoiced, 
Lay  down,  and  o'er  him  heaped  a  pile  of  leaves. 


94  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VI. 

As  in  black  ashes  when  one  hides  a  brand 

In  a  field's  corner,  with  no  neighbours  by, 

Saving  the  seed  of  fire,  that  so  no  more 

He  elsewhere  may  have  need  to  kindle  it;  490 

Divine  Ulysses  so  within  the  leaves 

Concealed  himself.     Minerva  on  his  eyes 

Poured  sleep,  that  she  might  quickly  give  him  rest 

From  his  hard  labour,  and  his  eye -lids  close. 


i 


BOOK     VI. 


Thus  there  long-suffering  Ulysses  slept, 

Subdued  by  sleep  and  toil.     Minerva  sought 

The  realm  and  town  of  the  Phseacians, 

Who  dwelt  of  yore  in  wide  Hyperia^       ^ 

Near  the  Cyclopes,  over-weening  men,^'  \'      5 

Who  plundered  them  and  far  excelled  in  strength. 

God -like  Nausithous  removed  them  thence 

And  placed  in  Scheria,  far  from  wand'ring  men  ; 

The  city  fortified  and  houses  built ; 

Made  temples  to  the  Gods  and  lands  assigned.  10 

But  when  by  fate  to  Hades  he  had  gone, 

Alcinous,  by  Gods  instructed,  reigned. 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  to  his  house  now  came, 

Of  brave  Ulysses  planning  the  return. 

Into  the  chamber,  wrought  with  art,  she  went  15 

Where  slept  a  damsel,  like  the  Goddesses 

In  countenance  and  form,  ^ausicaa, 

The  daughter  of  the  brave  Alcinous. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VI.  95 

By  her  two  maids,  who  from  the  Graces  had 

Their  beauty,  on  each  side  the  door-posts  lay, 

And  brightly-shining  portals  shut  them  in. 

She  to  the  damsel's  couch,  like  breath  of  air,  20 

Came  gliding  in,  and,  standing  o'er  her  head, 

Addressed  her,  putting  on  herself  the  form 

Of  Dymas'  daughter,  famed  for  seamanship  ; 

Of  like  age  to  herself  and  much  beloved. 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  in  her  form  thus  spake  : 

*  Why  did  thy  mother  bear  thee  indolent,  25 
'  Nausicaa  1  thy  shining  garments  lie 

1  Uncared  for  j  yet  thy  marriage  is  at  hand, 

'  When  thou  must  clothe  thyself  in  vestments  fair, 

1  And  give  them  too  to  those  who  lead  thee  forth. 

1  Thus  among  men  will  good  report  be  spread, 

'  And  sire  and  honoured  mother  will  rejoice.  30 

'  But  let  us  go  to  wash  when  dawn  appears ; 

'  And  I,  thy  fellow-spinster,  will  attend, 

'  That  thou  mayst  quickly  preparation  make  ; 

1  For  'tis  not  long  that  thou'lt  a  maiden  be. 

*  E'en  now  the  chiefs  of  the  Phseacian  men, 
'Whence  springs  thine  own  race,  woo  thee  as  their 

bride.  35 

'  Come,  urge  thy  noble  father,  ere  the  dawn, 
'  Appears,  the  mules  and  chariot  to  prepare,    . 
'  Which  girdles,  vests,  and  carpets  may  convey. 
'  'Twill  for  thyself  be  better  than  to  go 
1  On  foot ;  for  distant  are  the  washing  pits.'  W 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  spoke  and  went  away 
[T'  Olympus  where,  they  say,  the  Gods'  abode 
Ts  ever  safe,  nor  shaken  by  the  winds, 


96  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VI. 

Nor  wet  with  rain,  nor  does  the  snow  approach. 

A  cloudless  ether  ever  floats  above, 

And  spotless  splendour  overspreads  the  sky.  45 

There  all  day  long  the  Gods  rejoice,  and  there, 

When  she  had  told  the  damsel,  Pallas  went]. 

Forthwith  Aurora,  from  her  beauteous  throne 

Arising,  woke  the  fair  Nausicaa. 

She  wondered  at  the  dream,  and  through  the  house 

Hastened  to  tell  it  to  her  parents  dear,  50 

Father  and  mother :  them  she  found  within. 

She  by  the  hearth  was  sitting  with  her  maids, 

Reeling  the  purple  yarn  ;  but  him  she  met 

Going  abroad  to  council  with  the  chiefs, 

Where  the  illustrious  Phseacians  called.  55 

Near  her  dear  father  standing  thus  she  spoke  : 

'  Dear  father  !  couldst  thou  not  prepare  for  me 

'  The  lofty  well- wheeled  car,  that  I  may  take 

*  The  beauteous  vestments  to  the  stream  to  wash  j 

'  They  are  not  pure,  and  'tis  but  right  that  thou,      60. 
'  In  council  with  the  chiefs,  fresh  clothes  shouldst  wear. 
And  thou  hast  five  dear  sons  within  the  house ; 

*  Two  of  them  husbands,  three  young  bachelors  : 
When  to  the  dance  they  go  they  always  wish 

1  For  new-washed  vests;  and  these  are  in  my  charge.' 
Thus  said  she  to  her  sire  ;  she  shamed  to  speak    65 
)f  marriage  j  but  he  understood  it  all, 
[And  answered  :  *  Neither  mules  I  grudge  thee,  child  ! 
'  Nor  anything  :  go,  and  the  servants  shall 

*  The  lofty  well-wheeled  chariot  prepare, 

1  Fitted  with  platform  to  convey  the  vests.'  "0 

He  gave  the  servants  order ;  they  obeyed. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VI.  97 

And  out  of  doors  the  well-wheeled  car  prepared, 

And  brought  the  mules  and  bound  them  to  the  yoke. 

The  damsel  from  the  chamber  brought  the  vests, 

And  laid  them  shining  on  the  well-wrought  car.        75 

Her  mother  in  a  basket  pleasant  food 

Of  various  kinds  bestowed,  and  poured  out  wine 

In  goat-skin  bag  :  (the  damsel  climbed  the  car). 

The  liquid  oil  in  golden  flask  she  gave, 

That  with  her  maids  she  might  herself  anoint.  80 

The  whip  and  shining  reins  she  took,  and  urged  Q> 

The  mules  to  go  ;  their  trampling  sounded  far.  £  ^^ 

Steady  they  drew,  and  bore  the  vests  and  her ; 

But  not  alone,  for  with  her  ran  the  maids. 

When  to  the  river's  beauteous  bank  they  came,         85 

There  were  the  washing  pits  in  full  supply, 

And  much  fair  water  ever  overflowed 

To  cleanse  the  vests,  however  soiled  they  were. 

Then  from  the  yoke  they  let  the  mules  go  free, 

And  drove  them  by  the  river's  rippling  stream 

On  the  sweet  grass  to  feed ;  and  from  the  car  90 

They  took  the  garments  in  their  hands,  and  poured 

Pure  water  on,  and  stamped  in  rivalry. 

When  they  had  washed  them  and  all  stains  removed, 

They  spread  them  out  in  order  on  the  shore, 

W7here  most  the  sea  rolled  pebbles  on  the  beach.       05 

Then,  having  bathed  and  rubbed  the  rich  oil  on, 

They  took  their  meal  beside  the  river's  bank, 

And  in  the  sun-beams  left  the  vests  to  dry. 

When  maids  and  she  with  food  were  satisfied, 

They  played  at  ball,  and  threw  their  kerchiefs  off.  100 

White-armed  Nausicaa  began  the  game. 

H 


98  THE   ODYSSEY.—  BOOK    VI. 

As  when  the  archeress  piana  goes 

On  Erymanthus  or  Taygetum, 

Charmed  with  the  chase  of  boars  and  rapid  deer ; 

Nymphs,  sprung  from  aegis-bearing  Jove,  with  her  105 

Sport  o'er  the  fields  :  Latona  joys  to  see 

How  she  excels  them  all  in  form  and  face, 

Distinguished  easily  ;  yet  all  are  fair  : 

So  the  pure  virgin  shone  among  her  maids. 

But  homeward  when  she  was  about  to  go,  J 1 0 

Yoking  the  mules  and  folding  up  the  vests, 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  then  had  other  thoughts ; 

That  now  Ulysses  should  from  sleep  awake, 

And  see  the  lovely  maiden  ;  and  tha^she 

Should  be  his  guide  to  the  Phseacian  town. 

As  to  a  maid  the  princess  threw  the  ball  H6 

It  missed  the  maid,  and  in  a  deep  pool  fell. 

They  loudly  wailed.     Divine  Ulysses  wol^g, 

And  sitting  pondered  in  his  mind  and  thought : 

4  Ah  me  !  to  what  men's  country  am  I  come  1 

'  Are  they  unruly,  savage,  and  unjust, 

1  Or  kind  to  strangers  and  of  mind  devout  ?  1-0 

6  The  female  voice  of  damsels  round  me  comes 

1  [Of  nymphs  who  dwell  upon  the  mountain-tops, 

'  By  rivers'  sources  or  in  grassy  meads]. 

'  Am  I  near  those  who  speak  with  human  voice  ?     1-5 

1  But  I  will  trial  make  myself  and  see.' 

Thus  speaking  from  the  copse  Ulysses  came, 
And  with  strong  hands  a  leafy  bough  he  broke 
From  the  thick  wood,  his  person  to  conceal. 
He  went  as  goes  a  lion  in  his  strength,  130 

Bred  on  the  mountains,  spite  of  wind  and  rain  ; 


THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    VI.  90 

His  eyes  are  glaring ;  and  he  goes  among 
Cows,  ewes,  or  deer,  while  hunger  drives  him  on 
The  thickly-peopled  sheep-fold  to  attack. 
So  'mong  the  maidens,  naked  as  he  was,  135 

Ulysses  dared  to  go,  for  sore  his  need  ; 
Dreadful  he  seemed  to  them,  besmeared  with  brine. 
To  the  high  banks  confusedly  they  ran 
Alarmed  ;  the  daughter  of  Alcinous 
Alone  remained  ;  Minerva  to  her  mind 
Gave  strength,  and  terror  from  her  limbs  removed.  140 
Checking  herself  from  flight  she  fronted  him  : 
Ulysses  doubted  whether  suppliant 
He  should  embrace  the  lovely  damsel's  knees, 
Or,  at  a  distance,  standing  as  he  was, 
Entreat  with  honeyed  words  that  she  would  show 
Where  lay  the  city  and  would  clothing  give. 
This,  as  he  meditated,  seemed  the  best ;  145 

To  stand  apart  and  pray  with  honeyed  words^. 
Lest  she  be  angry  should  he  touch  her  knees. 
Forthwith  he  made  this  honeyed  artful  speech. 
1  I  supplicate  thee,  Queen !  if  Goddess  thou 
'  Or  mortal  art.     If  Goddess,  and  of  those  150 

1  Who  in  the  wide  sky  dwell,  thou  art,  I  deem, 

*  Like  to  Diana,  daughter  of  great  Jove ; 

1  Like  her  in  stature,  form  and  countenance. 
'  If  thou  of  mortals  art  who  dwell  on  earth, 

*  Thrice  happy  are  thy  mother  and  thy  sire  ; 

'  Thrice  happy  are  thy  brothers  ;  for  their  mind       155 

*  Is  charmed  with  loveliness  for  thy  dear  sake, 
1  When  such  a  flowret  in  the  dance  they  see. 

1  But  happiest  is  he  above  the  rest 


100  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   VI. 

'  Who  loads  with  bridal  gifts  and  takes  thee  home. 
'  Such  mortal  never  have  these  eyes  beheld,  160 

'  Woman  or  man  :  I  wonder  as  I  gaze. 

*  Yet  once  at  Delos,  by  Apollo's  shrine, 
1  Such  a  young  palm-tree  springing-up  I  saw. 
'  Thither  I  went,  and  many  followed  me 
'  Along  a  road  where  griefs  were  doomed  to  come.  165 
'  Still  as  I  gazed  I  wondered  in  my  mind 

*  For  never  from  the  earth  did  such  tree  spring. 
1  Thus,  lady  !  thee  I  wond'ringly  admire, 
4  And  fear  exceedingly  to  touch  thy  knees : 
'  For  dreadful  sorrow  has  upon  me  come. 

*  I  yestere'en,  upon  the  twentieth  day,  170 

*  Escaped  the  gloomy  sea.     The  waves  and  storms 

*  Drove  me  so  long  from  the  Ogygian  isle. 

*  And  now  the  Deity  has  cast  me  here, 
'  That  here  too  I  may  suffer ;  for  I  think 
1  He  will  not  cease ;  the  Gods  have  much  in  store. 
'  But,  Queen  !  have  pity ;  for  to  thee  the  first,         178 

*  After  my  many  sufferings,  I  come  ; 
'  Nor  know  I  who  this  town  and  land  possess. 
1  Show  me  the  town,  and  deign  some  clothes  to  give, 
'  If  some  torn  wrapper  thou  hast  with  thee  here  ; 
1  So  may  the  Gods  grant  all  thy  mind  desires,  180 

£v  /  Husband  and  home  and  harmony  bestow  ! 
'  For  nothing  better  can  there  be  than  this, 

*  That  man  and  wife  should  with  harmonious  thought 

*  Dwell  in  their  home  ;  vexation  to  their  foes, 
\Joy  to  their  friends,  and  chiefly  to  themselves.'/   185 

White  armed  Nausicaa  to  him  replied  : 

*  Stranger  !  thou  seemest  nor  unwise  nor  mean 


i 


^ 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VI.  101 

'  (Olympian  Jove  good  fortune  gives  to  men, 
1  To  good  and  bad,  to  each  one  as  he  wills : 

*  What  he  has  giv'n  to  thee  thou  must  endure),       190 
1  Since  at  our  town  and  land  thou  hast  arrived, 

*  Nor  garments  shalt  thou  want,  nor  anything 
1  Which  a  long-suff'ring  suppliant  should  have. 

*  The  town  I'll  show  and  tell  the  people's  name. 

*  This  town  and  country  the  Phseacians  have,  195 

*  And  1  am  child  of  brave  Alcinous, 

'  On  whom  Phseacian  pow'r  and  strength  depend.' 

She  spake,  and  ordered  thus  her  fair-haired  maids  : 
1  Stay,  maidens  !( whither  when  a  man  ye  see 

*  Thus  fly  ye  1  think  ye  he's  an  enemy  1  200 
'  No  man  is  thisAno  living  man  could  be, 

1  Who  to  the  land  of  the  Phaeacians  comes 
'  With  war,  for  they  are  by  the  Gods  beloved, 

*  And  far  apart,  within  a  storm-tossed  sea, 

*  We  dwell,  and  others  do  not  mix  with  us.  205 

r  Hither  this  wretched  wand'ring  man  is  come,       O-^v^ 
^"And  we  must  tend  him.I  Strangers,  beggars,  all       ^^ 
'  Are  Jove's ;  the  gift  is  welcome  though  but  smalh 
'  But,  maidens  !  give  the  stranger  meat  and  drink,  ) 
'  And  bathe  him  where  is  shelter  from  the  wind.' y^io 

She  spake  :  they  standing  each  encouraged  each, 
And  took  Ulysses  under  shelter,  where 
Nausicaa,  of  brave  Alcinous 

The  daughter,  bade  them ;  placed  a  cloak  and  vest ; 
Gave  in  a  golden  flask  the  liquid  oil,  215 

And  bade  him  in  the  river's  stream  to  bathe. 
Then  to  the  maidens  thus  Ulysses  spake : 

*  Ye  maidens  !  stand  apart  that  I  myself 


102  THE   ODYSSEY. —BOOK   VI. 

'  May  from  my  shoulders  wash  the  brine,  and  rub 
'  The  oil,  to  which  my  skin  is  long  unused.  220 

'  I  could  not  in  your  presence  bathe,  ashamed 
'  Naked  among  you  fair-haired  maids  to  go.' 

He  spake  :  retiring  they  the  damsel  told. 
He  in  the  river  washed  from  off  his  skin 
The  brine  which  to  his  back  and  shoulders  clung,    225 
And  wiped  the  barren  sea's  foam  from  his  head. 
When  he  had  bathed,  and  rubbed  himself  with  oil, 
And  donned  the  garments  which  the  virgin  gave, 
Minerva,  Jove-descended,  made  him  seem 
Greater  and  more  majestic ;  down  his  head  230 

Let  the  crisp  hyacinthine  hair  descend. 
As  gold  a  skilful  man  on  silver  spreads, 
(Whom  Vulcan  and  Minerva  taught  the  art 
Of  varied  kind)  and  beauteous  works  completes, 
So  on  his  head  and  shoulders  grace  she  poured.        235 
On  the  sea-shore  he  sat  apart,  with  grace 
And  beauty  bright ;  the  maid  admiring  gazed. 
Then  to  the  fair-haired  maidens  thus  she  spake  : 
'  Hear  me,  ye  white-armed  maidens  !  while  I  speak. 
<  Not  'gainst  the  will  of  all  th'  Olympian  Gods  240 

'  To  the  divine  Phseacians  this  man  comes. 
'  He  was  at  first  unseemly  in  my  sight, 
'  But  now  is  like  the  Gods  in  heav'n  who  dwell. 
1  Would  such  a  husband  were  designed  for  me, 
'  That  he  would  dwell  here  and  be  pleased  to  stay  !  245 
1  But,  maidens  !  give  the  stranger  food  and  drink.' 

They  heard,  and  with  alacrity  obeyed ; 
And  to  Ulysses  food  and  drink  supplied. 
Long-suffering  Ulysses  ate  and  drank 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VI.  103 

Freely  ;  'twas  long  since  he  had  tasted  food.  25° 

White-armed  Nausicaa  had  other  thoughts  : 
Folding  the  vests  she  placed  them  on  the  car, 
Yoked  the  swift  mules,  the  chariot  climbed  herself; 
Summoned  Ulysses,  and  addressed  him  thus : 
1  Now,  stranger  !  rise  and  to  the  city  go,  255 

*  That  to  my  valiant  father's  house  I  may 

1  Conduct  thee  :  there,  I  tell  thee,  thou  wilt  see 
'  Of  the  Phseacians  all  the  chiefest  men. 

*  But  specially  do  this — thou  seemest  wise — 

1  While  we  are  going  through  the  fields  and  farms, 

'  So  long,  quick  following  the  mules  and  car,  26° 

'  Go  with  the  maids,  and  I  will  lead  the  way. 

'  When  to  the  town  we  come — around  it  are 

1 A  lofty  battlement  and  harbour  fair 

'  On  either  side,  and  narrow  the  approach  ; 

1  For  ships  impelled  by  oars  enclose  the  way, 

*  And  for  each  man  there  is  a  mooring-place.  26> 
1  The(Jorum,  walled  with  quarried  deep -dug  stones, 

*  The  temple  fair  of  Neptune  here  surrounds  ; 

*  And  here  they  store  their  naval  armaments, 

*  The  ropes  and  sails ;  and  here  they  plane  the  oars. 

*  Phaeacians  nor  for  bow  nor  quiver  care  ;  2'° 
'  But  they  delight  in  masts,  and  oars,  and  ships, 

*  And  in  them  go  across  the  white -waved  sea. 
1  I  shun  to  give  of  them  a  bad  report, 

*  Lest  any  one  reproach  me  afterwards. 

'  There  are  among  them  men  unscrupulous  ; 

*  And  of  the  baser  sort  some  one  might  say :  275 

*  "  What  stranger  large  and  handsome  follows  now 
1 "  Nausicaa  1     Where  found  she  him  %     No  doubt 


104  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VI. 


(  « 


He'll  be  her  husband  :  she  has  pick'd  him  up, 
'  "  A  vagabond,  from  some  outlandish  ship  ; 
1 "  As  if,  forsooth,  there  were  not  such  men  near  ! 
1 "  Or  some  God,  answ'ring  her  frequent  pray'rs,      280 
'  "  Is  come  from  heav'n  to  keep  her  all  her  days. 
'  "  Tis  better  she  should  go  herself  and  find 
'"A  husband  of  some  other  race,  since  she 
'  "  Despises  the  Phseacians  of  the  land, 
'  "  Many  and  good,  who  woo  her  for  their  bride." 
'  So  will  they  say,  and  such  their  slander  be  j_ 
'  And  any  other  maiden  I  should  blame 
'  Who  did  such  deeds,  or  who  against  the  will 
'  Of  father  and  of  mother  should  consort 
'  With  men  before  a  public  marriage  came. 
'  Now,  stranger !  heed  me,  that  thou  quickly  mayst  290 
'  Gain  from  my  father  convoy  and  return. 
1  Minerva's  shining  grove  of  poplar  trees 
'  Thou  wilt  discover  near  the  road,  wherein 
'  A  fountain  springs,  and  meadows  lie  around. 
1  There,  too,  my  father's  grounds  and  garden  are, 
'  Far  from  the  city  as  a  man  can  shout. 
'  There  sit  and  wait  a  while  till  we  shall  go  295 

*  Into  the  city  to  my  father's  house. 
'  But  when  thou  thinkest  we've  arrived  at  home, 
1  Then  enter  the  Phasacian  town,  and  seek 
'  The  house  of  my  brave  sire,  Alcinous  : 
'  'Tis  easy  to  be  known,  and  e'en  a  child  300 

'  Would  lead  thee  to  it ;  for  in  no  respect 
'  Are  the  Phasacian  houses  built  as  that, 
'  The  house  of  brave  Alcinous.     But  when 
'  The  house  and  court  conceal  thee,  quickly  go 


THE   ODYSSEY. —BOOK   VI.  105 

*  Across  the  hall  till  thou  my  mother  reach  j  305 
1  Upon  the  hearth,  close  by  the  fire,  she  sits, 

'  Reeling  the  purple  yarn,  a  sight  to  see  ! 
1  Close  to  a  column,  and  the  maids  behind : 
'  Against  it  is  upreared  my  father's  throne, 

*  Where,  like  a  God,  he  sits  and  drinks  his  wine. 

*  Passing  him  by,  upon  my  mother's  knees  310 

*  Lay  thou  thine  hands,  that  thy  returning -day, 

'  Though  far  from  home,  thou  mayst  rejoicing  see. 

1  [If  she  is  friendly  to  thee  in  her  mind, 

'  Then  there  is  hope  that  thou  mayst  see  thy  friends, 

*  Go  to  thy  home  and  thy  paternal  land.]'  315 

Thus  speaking,  with  her  shining  whip  she  urged 
The  mules,  which  quickly  left  the  river's  bank, 
And  well  they  tramped,  and  well  threw  out  their  feet. 
She  driving,  that  Ulysses  and  the  maids 
On  foot  might  follow,  wisely  used  the  whip.  320 

The  sun  was  setting ;  to  Minerva's  grove 
They  came,  and  there  divine  Ulysses  sate. 
Then  to  the  daughter  of  great  Jove  he  prayed : 
1  Unconquered  child  of  a3gis-bearing  Jove  ! 
'  Hear  me,  hear  now  at  least,  though  formerly         325 
1  Thou  didst  not  hear  me  in  my  great  distress, 
'  Whom  the  famed  shaker  of  the  earth  distressed. 

*  Grant  me  that  I  to  the  Phseacians 

'  Object  of  love  and  pity  may  have  come  !' 

He  spake  in  pray'r,  and  him  Minerva  heard, 
But  did  not  face  to  face  appear,  because 
She  feared  her  brother  who  was  much  enraged         330 
Against  Ulysses  ere  he  reached  his  home. 


106  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VII. 


BOOK     VII. 


While  thus  long-suff'ring  Ulysses  prayed, 
The  strong  mules  bore  the  damsel  to  the  town. 
When  to  her  father's  famous  house  she  came 
She  stayed  them  at  the  porch.     Around  her  stood    . 
Her  brothers,  men  like  to  th'  immortal  Gods,  5 

Unyoked  the  mules,  and  brought  the  vestments  in. 
She  to  her  chamber  went ;  an  ancient  dame, 
Eurymedusa,  an  Aperian, 
Kindled  a  fire.     Her  once  the  well-oared  ships 
Brought  from  Aperia,  whom  they  chose  a  prize  10 

For  king  Alcinous,  because  he  ruled 
O'er  the  Phseacians,  honoured  as  a  God  : 
She  in  the  house  Nausicaa  had  nursed. 
The  fire  she  kindled  and  the  supper  served. 
Ulysses  hasted  to  the  town  to  go  : 
Minerva  round  him  pour'd,  with  loving  care,  15 

A  mist,  lest  some  Phseacian  should  meet 
And  insolently  ask  him  who  he  was. 
As  he  was  entering  the  pleasant  town, 
Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  met  him  there, 
Like  a  young  virgin  who  a  pitcher  bore,  20 

And  fronted  him.     Ulysses  questioned  her  : 
'  Child  !  couldst  thou  lead  me  to  the  house  of  one 
'  Alcinous,  who  o'er  this  people  rules  1 
'  For  I,  a  suff'ring  stranger,  here  am  come 
5  From  a  far  distant  land,  and  therefore  know  25 

'  None  of  the  men  who  own  this  town  and  land.' 
Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  answered  him  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VII.  107 

'  Yes,  reverend  stranger  !  I  will  show  the  house 

*  Thou  askest  for  ;  he  near  my  father  dwells. 

*  But  go  in  silence,  I  will  lead  the  way,  30 
1  And  look  not  at  nor  question  any  one  ; 

*  For  these  men  have  for  strangers  no  respect, 

*  Nor  treat  him  kindly  who  has  come  from  far. 
1  They,  trusting  in  their  swiftly-sailing  ships, 

1  Cross  the  deep  sea,  for  Neptune  gives  them  this,     35 
1  And  Swift  their  ships  are  as  a  wing  or  thought.' 

Pallas  Minerva  spake,  and  swiftly  led 
The  way,  while  in  the  Goddess'  steps  he  went. 
The  ship -renowned  Phseacians  saw  him  not 
Walking  throughout  the  town.     The  Goddess  dread,  40 
Fair-haired  Minerva,  did  not  this  permit. 
She  kindly  poured  a  mist  divine  around. 
Ulysses  wondered  at  the  ports  and  ships, 
The  chieftains'  council -courts,  the  lofty  walls 
Fitted  with  buttresses,  a  sight  to  see  !  45 

But  to  the  king's  famed  palace  when  they  came 
Blue -eyed  Minerva  thus  began  to  say  : 
1  That,  reverend  stranger !  is  the  house  for  which 

*  Thou  askest :  princes  feasting  there  thou  'It  meet ; 

1  But  go  thou  in,  and  fear  not  in  thy  mind.  50 

*  A  brave  man  ever  is  superior 

1  In  deeds,  from  wheresoever  he  may  come. 

1  First  thou  wilt  find  the  mistress  in  the  house ; 

'  Arete  is  her  name  ;  from  ancestor 

1  The  same  as  to  Alcinous  gave  birth.  55 

*  First  Neptune,  shaker  of  the  earth,  begat 

*  Nausithous,  whose  mother,  of  her  sex 
'  The  fairest,  Peribcea,  youngest  child 


108  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   VII. 

'Was  of  magnanimous  Eurymedon, 

'  Who  of  the  haughty  giants  once  was  king. 

'  He  their  proud  race  destroyed,  and  died  himself.     CO 

'  Neptune,  with  her  as  concubine,  begat 

*  Nausithous,  who  the  Phseacians  ruled. 
1  Nausithous  begat  Ehexenor  and 

'  Alcinous.     The  first,  who  had  no  son, 

1  Apollo  of  the  silver  bow  struck  down 

'  While  yet  a  bridegroom,  who  one  daughter  left,      65 

*,4rete,  whom  Alcinous  espoused 

1  AndTionoured  as  not  any  other  wife 

*  On  earth  is  honoured,  many  as  there  are, 

*  Who  with  their  husbands  occupy  a  home. 
1  She  in  such  honour  heartily  is  held 

1  By  her  dear  children,  and  Alcinous,  70 

1  And  all  the  people,  who,  regarding  her 

'  As  though  she  were  a  Goddess,  courteously 

'  Address  her  as  she  passes  through  the  town. 

'  She  lacks  not  wisdom,  nor  aught  else  that's  good, 

'  And  kindly  wives  with  husbands  reconciles. 

1  If  she  is  friendly  to  thee  in  her  mind,  75 

'  Then  there  is  hope  that  thou  mayst  see  thy  friends, 

'  Go  to  thine  home  and  thy  paternal  land.' 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  spake,  and  w?ent  away 
Across  the  sea,  and  lovely  Scheria  left. 
To  Marathon  and  Athens,  with  wide  streets,  80 

She  came,  and  w7ent  Erectheus'  house  within. 
But  to  the  palace  of  Alcinous 
Ulysses  came,  and  much  his  heart  was  moved. 
There  paused  he  ere  he  to  the  threshold  went ; 
A  ray,  as  though  it  were  of  sun  or  moon, 


i& 


THE    ODYSSF.Y. BOOK    VII.  109 

Was  on  the  high  house  of  Alcinous.  85 

Two  walls  of  brass  extended  here  and  there 

From  threshold  to  the  inner  room's  recess, 

And  a  bronze  cornice  was  around  :  the  doors 

Of  gold  the  well-compacted  house  enclosed. 

Columns  of  silver  stood  on  floor  of  brass ;  90 

Silver  the  lintel  and  the  ring  of  gold. 

On  each  side  dogs  of  gold  and  silver  were, 

Which  Vulcan  with  his  skilful  art  had  forged 

To  guard  the  house  of  brave  Alcinous, 

[Which  are  immortal,  never  growing  old]. 

Thrones  here  and  there  were  fix'd  around  the  walls  95 

From  threshold  to  recess,  and  vestments  there, 

Fine  and  well  woven,  women's  works,  were  laid. 

There  the  Phseacian  princes  used  to  sit, 

Drinking  and  eating  with  a  full  supply. 

Boys  made  of  gold  by  well-built  altars  stood,  100 

Upholding  flaming  torches  in  their  hands, 

Lighting  the  night  to  those  who  feasted  there. 

And  fifty  serving-women  in  the  house ; 

Some  in  the  hand-mills  grind  the  yellow  corn, 

Some  weave  the  webs,  and  some  the  spindles  turn,     105 

Sitting  like  leaves  of  the  tall  poplar  tree  ; 

And  from  the  woven  cloth  moist  oil  drops  down. 

As  the  Phoeacians  other  men  excel 

Tn  sailing  o'er  the  sea,  the  women  so 

Excel  in  weaving  webs  :  Minerva  gives  110 

Knowledge  of  beauteous  works  and  skilful  minds. 

Outside  the  palace,  near  the  portal,  lies 

A  spacious  orchard  o'er  four  acres  spread, 

And  on  both  sides  of  it  a  wall  extends. 


110  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VII. 

Trees,  lofty,  flourishing,  are  growing  there  ; 

The  pears,  pomegranates,  and  the  apple-trees,  H5 

With  shining  fruit,  sweet  figs,  and  olives  grow. 

The  fruit  of  these  nor  perishes  nor  fails, 

Winter  or  summer,  lasting  through  the  year  : 

The  ever-breathing  Zephyr  others  brings, 

And  ripens  them,   f  Near  pear,  the  pear  grows  old  ;     136 

Near  apple,  apple  ;  near  the  grape,  the  grape  \ 

Fig  near  the  fig  :  the  many-fruited  ground 

Is  planted  there  ;  part  on  a  level  plain 

Is  heated  by  the  sun  j  they  gather  grapes 

In  this  part,  and  in  that  the  vintage  crush. 

There  the  green  bunches  shed  their  early  bloom,     125 

And  others  just  begin  to  change  their  hue. 

Well-ordered  borders  in  the  furthest  plot, 

Of  varied  growth,  perpetually  shine. 

There  are  two  fountains ;  one  its  water  spreads 

O'er  all  the  garden,  and  the  other  flows 

Beneath  the  threshold  to  the  lofty  house,  v  130 

And  thence  the  citizens  the  water  drawr.     J 

Such  were  the  Gods'  gifts  to  Alcinous. 

There  paused  divine  Ulysses  wond'ringly : 

When  in  his  mind  he  had  admired  it  all, 

He  o'er  the  threshold  quickly  passed  and  went         135 

The  house  within,  and  there  the  princes  found 

Of  the  Phseacians,  pouring  from  their  cups 

Libations  to  clear-sighted  Mercury, 

Made  last  to  him  before  they  went  to  rest, 

But  through  the  hall  divine  Ulysses  went, 

With  cloud  around  him  w7hich  Minerva  poured,        140 

Till  to  Arete  and  Alcinous 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VII.  Ill 

He  came,  and  on  Arete's  knees  he  placed 

His  hands,  and  then  the  God-sent  cloud  dispersed. 

They  sate  in  silence  when  they  saw  the  man, 

And  wondered  as  they  gazed.     Ulysses  prayed         145 

'  Arete  !  from  divine  Rhexenor  sprung  ! 

*  Both  to  thy  husband ^and  thy  knees  I  come, 
1  And  to  those  feasting  here,  a  suff'ring  man, 

*  May  the  Gods  grant  them  happily  to  live, 

*  And  to  their  children  each  transmit  their  wealth, 

'  And  honour  which  to  them  the  people  give  !  150 

*  But  grant  me  speedily  a  convoyhome, 

*  For  from  my  friends  alar  1  sutler  woes.' 

He  spake,  and  took  his  seat  upon  the  hearth 
Among  the  ashes,  while  all  held  their  peace. 
At  last  the  aged  Echineus  spake,  155 

The  oldest  man  of  the  Phseacians, 
Who  was  adorned  with  eloquence,  and  knew 
Many  old  deeds  :  he  kindly  them  addressed  : 
'  Alcinous  !  it  is  not  good  nor  right 
'  That  thus  a  stranger  should  upon  the  hearth  ICO 

1  In  ashes  sit  :  thy  friends  their  speech  restrain 
1  Awaiting  thine  :  then  raise  the  stranger  up, 
'  And  place  him  on  a  silver-studded  throne. 

*  Command  thy  heralds  that  they  mix  fresh  wine, 

*  That  our  libations  we  may  make  to  Jove 

'  The  thunderer,  who  sacred  strangers  guards  ;         165 

*  And  to  the  stranger  let  the  house-keeper 
'  Give  of  such  viands  as  there  are,  a  feast.' 

When  holy  King  Alcinous  heard  this, 
He  took  the  wise  Ulysses  by  the  hand, 
liaised  from  the  hearth  and  on  a  shining  throne 


112  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VII. 

Made  him  to  sit,  displacing  his  own  son,  170 

Who  near  him  sate  and  whom  he  dearly  loved, 

The  brave  Laodomas.     A  maiden  brought, 

And  from  a  beauteous  golden  ewer  filled, 

A  bowl  above  a  silver  cauldron  placed, 

To  wash,  and  spread  a  polished  table  near. 

The  venerable  house-keeper  brought  food,  175 

And  divers  cates,  such  as  there  were,  heaped  up. 

Divine  Ulysses  ate  and  drank,  and  then 

Alcinous  addressed  the  herald  thus  : 

c  Pontonous  !  a  bowl  of  sweet  wine  mix 

'  For  all  within  the  house,  that  so  to  Jove  180 

'  The  thunderer  we  may  libations  make, 

'  Who  venerable  suppliants  protects.' 

He  spake :  Pontonous  the  sweet  wine  mixed, 
And  in  the  cups  distributed  to  all. 
When  they  had  made  libation,  and  had  drunk 
All  their  mind  wished,  Alcinous  thus  spoke  :  185 

1  Hear  me,  ye  chiefs  of  the  Pheeacians  ! 
1  While  what  my  mind  persuades  me  I  shall  say. 

*  Now  having  feasted  go  ye  home  to  sleep, 
'  And  in  the  morning  we  the  senators 

'  Will  summon,  on  the  stranger  to  bestow 

*  Our  hospitality,  and  to  the  Gods  190 
VWill  offer  sacrifice,  and  then  consult 

J  About  a  convoy,  that  the  stranger  may, 

'  From  labour  and  amiction  free,  return 

1  Rejoicing  quickly  to  his  native  land, 

'  Under  our  convoy,  though  far  off  it  be, 

'  Nor  in  the  meantime  suffer  grief  and  woe  195 

'  Ere  he  reach  home  :  when  there,  he  will  endure 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VII.  113 

1  Whatever  destiny  and  fates  severe 

1  Span  with  their  thread  when  him  his  mother  bare. 

1  If  he  immortal  does  from  heav'n  descend, 

1  Something  beyond  their  wont  the  Gods  devise  ;      200 

1  For  always  hitherto  the  Gods  appear 

■  Without  disguise,  when  famous  hecatombs 

*  We  make,  and  sitting  with  us  feast  as  we. 

*  If  one  a  lonely  wayfarer  should  come, 

'  They  hide  it  not,  for  we  are  kin  to  them,  205 

*  As  are  the  Cyclops'  and  fierce  giant  tribes.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 

*  Alcinous  !  let  other  thoughts  be  thine. 

'  I  nor  in  form  nor  force  am  like  the  Gods 
'  Who  dwell  in  heav'n,  but  am  to  mortal  men.  210 

'  Whatever  men  most  wretched  ye  have  known, 
j  '  To  them  in  suff'ring  I  compare  myself ; 
/  j    And  I  could  tell  of  evils  greater  still 
H  '  Which  by  the  impulse  of  the  Gods  I  bore. 
\J|  *  But  leave  me  to  my  meal,  however  grieved ;  215 

'*  For  nothing  than  a  craving  appetite 
<*  Is  more  audacious  ;  it  compels  regard 
1  From  the  vexed  man  with  sorrow  in  his  soul, 
1  (As  sorrow  in  my  soul  indeed  I  have) 
(*  For  it  obliges  me  to  eat  and  drink,  220 

V'  Makes  me  forget  my  suff'rings,  bids  me  feast. 

*  But  with  the  dawn  appearing  rise  ye  up 
'  That  in  my  country  miserable  me, 
'  Who  all  these  woes  have  suffered,  ye  may  place. 
1  I  would  that  life  might  leave  me  when  I've  seen 
'  My  lands,  my  servants  and  my  high-roofed  house.'  225 

He  spake  :  they  all  assented  and  decreed 


114  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VII. 

To  send  the  guest,  who  well  had  spoken,  home. 
When  they  had  made  libation,  and  had  drank 
All  that  they  wished,  they  homeward  went  to  sleep. 
Divine  Ulysses  in  the  hall  was  left :  230 

Arete  and  Alcinous  sate  near : 
The  servants  cleared  the  fragments  of  the  feast. 
White-armed  Arete  then  began  a  speech, 
For  she  the  cloak,  the  tunic  and  the  vests 
Had,  when  she  saw  them,  recognised,  which  she 
Herself  had  with  the  female  servants  made.  235 

Addressing  him  she  spake  these  winged  words  : 
'  Stranger  !  I  first  will  question  thee  myself. 
1  Who  and  whence  art  thou?  who  these  garments  gave? 
'  Said'st  thou  that  thou  hadst  wandered  o'er  the  sea  ? ' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  :  240 

'  'Tis  hard,  0  queen  !  to  tell  my  woes  at  length  ; 
6  So  many  are  there  which  the  Gods  have  caused. 
'  But  what  thou  askest  of  me  I  will  tell. 
J^K  certain  island,  called  Ogygia, 
2v    \  Lies  in  the  distant  sea  :  Calypso  there,  245 

r      '  Of  Atlas  fair-haired  crafty  daughter,  dwells  \ 
1  A  dreadful  Goddess ;  no  one  of  the  Gods 
*  Or  mortal  men  with  her  holds  intercourse. 
'  Me  only  wretched  to  her  hearth  the  God 
'  Conveyed,  when  with  his  shining  thunder-bolt 
'  Jove  in  the  mid-sea  struck  and  wrecked  my  ship.  250 
'  There  all  my  other  brave  companions  died ; 
'  But  seizing  with  my  arms  the  vessel's  keel 
1  Nine  days  I  drifted ;  on  the  tenth  black  night 
'  The  Gods  impelled  me  on  th'  Ogygian  isle, 
'  Where  fair  Calypso,  dreadful  Goddess,  dwells, 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   VII.  115 

'  Who  took  and  kindly  treated  me  and  fed,.  255 

'  And  often  said  that  she  would  render  me 

*  Immortal,  all  my  days  from  old  age  free  ; 

1  But  never  did  my  heart  and  mind  persuade. 

'  For  seven  long^yearsj  there  immoveably 

1  Remained,  and  ever  moistened  with  my  tears         2C0 

'  Th'  ambrosial  garments  which  Calypso  gave. 

*  But  when  the  eighth  revolving  year  was  come, 

*  She  urged  and  bade  me  to  go  home,  for  Jove 

*  Had  sent  a  message,  or  her  mind  was  changed. 
1  She  sent  me  on  a  well-built  raft,  and  gave 

1  Food,  wine,  and  clothed  me  with  ambrosial  vests,  265 

*  And  made  a  fav'ring  gentle^breeze  to  blow. 
1  For  seventeen  days  I  sailed  along  the  sea ; 

*  On  the  eighteenth  appeared  the  shady  hills 

'  Of  this  your  land,  whereat  my  heart  rejoiced, 

1  A  luckless  man ;  for  I  was  still  to  meet  270 

1  With  suff'rings  which  earth-shaking  Neptune  sent, 

1  Who  on  me  urged  the  winds,  and  stopped  my  course, 

'  Stirred  the  vast  sea ;  nor  did  the  wave  allow 

1  Me  wretched  to  be  carried  on  the  raft. 

*  Then  the  storm  wrecked  it ;  but  I  swam  across      275 
1  The  sea's  deep  gulf,  until  the  wind  and  wave 

?  Bore  me  along  and  brought  me  to  your  land. 

'  The  wave  would  then  have  forced  me  on  the  shore 

'  Emerging  from  the  sea,  and  would  have  dashed 

1  Upon  great  rocks,  a  joyless  landing-place  ; 

'  But  I  retreating  swam  until  I  reached  280 

*  The  river  j  there  the  place  appeared  the  best, 

*  Free  from  the  rocks  with  shelter  from  the  wind. 
1  Reviving  I  escaped,  and  night  came  on. 


116  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VII. 

'  I  from  the  stream  divine  retreating  lay 

1  Among  the  shrubs ;  upon  me  leaves  I  heaped,       2S5 

1  And  endless  sleep  the  God  upon  me  poured. 

'  There  mid  the  leaves,  afflicted  in  my  heart, 

*  All  night  I  slept  till  morning  and  mid-day. 

*  The  sun  declined  and  sweet  sleep  left  me  there. 

1  Then  on  the  shore  I  heard  thy  daughter's  maids    290 

*  Disporting ;  she  herself  among  them  was 
1  Like  to  the  Goddesses  ;  to  her  I  prayed. 

'  Of  sound  discretion  she  had  no  defect : 
'  Thou  never  couldst  have  hoped  that  one  so  young 
'  Would  act  like  her ;  the  young  are  seldom  wise. 
^-She  gave  me  food  enough,  and  sparkling  wine  ;      295 
'  In  the  stream  bathed  me,' and  these  vests  bestowed. 
1 1,  miserable  man,  thus  tell  the_truth^'. 
To  him  Alcinous  replied  and  said  : 

*  Stranger  !  in  this  my  daughter  judged  not  well : 

'  She  did  not  with  her  maidens  to  our  house  300 

'  Bring  thee,  though  her  thou  first  didst  supplicate.' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 

*  Hero  !  thy  blameless  daughter  do  not  chide 

1  For  me ;  she  bade  me  follow  with  the  maids  : 

'  But  timid  and  ashamed  I  would  not  go,  305 

*  Lest  when  thou  saw'st  me  thou  shouldst  angry  be  ; 

*  We  tribes  of  men  on  earth  are  prone  to  wrath.' 

To  him  Alcinous  replied  and  said  : 

*  Stranger !  not  such  my  heart  as  causelessly 

1  Is  angry  :  moderation  is  the  best.  310 

*  O  father  Jove  !  Minerva  !  Phoebus  !  would 

*  Such  a  man  as  thou  art,  thinking  like  myself, 
'  Might  wed  my  child  and  be  my  son-in-law,' 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    VII.  117 

*  Here  staying;  house  and  wealth  I  would  bestow 

*  If  thou  wouldst  stay  ;  but  no  Phseacian  will  315 

*  Keep  thee  against  thy  wish  ;  this  Jove  forbid  ! 
1  A  convoy  I  to-morrow  will  appoint 

'  (That  thou  mayst  know)  ;  but  now,  subdued  by  sleep, 

1  Repose  till  then,  and  they  shall  sail  a  ship 

1  O'er  the  calm  sea,  that  to  thy  native  land 

1  And  home,  and  where  thou  wiliest,  thou  mayst  go, 

*  Though  it  more  distant  than  Eubcea  be,  320 
'  Most  distant,  as  our  countrymen  report 

1  Who  saw  it,  when  they  Rhadamanthus  took 

*  To  visit  Tityos,  the  son  of  earth  ; 

'  And  thither  went  they  j  and  without  fatigue  325 

*  On  the  same  day  performed  their  voyage  home. 

1  Thou'lt  see  thyself  how  much  my  ships  and  men 
1  Excel,  who  with  their  oar-blades  turn  the  sea.' 

Patient  Ulysses  at  his  words  rejoiced, 
And  with  a  pray'r  addressed  them  thus  and  said:     330 
1  0  father  Jove  !  grant  that  Alcinous 

*  All  that  he  says  may  do.     His  glory  great 

*  On  earth  would  be,  and  I  should  reach  my  home.' 

Such  words  they  thus  to  one  another  spake. 
Arete  bade  the  white-armed  maidens  place  335 

A  bed  beneath  the  porch,  and  purple  quilts 
To  lay  thereon,  and  carpets  o'er  them  spread, 
And  coverlids  of  wool  above  them  all. 
They,  bearing  torches  in  their  hands,  came  forth. 
When  with  alacrity  they  'd  spread  the  couch,  340 

Ulysses  they  invited  with  these  words : 
1  Rise,  stranger !  and  repose  :  thy  bed 's  prepared.' 

They  spake  :  it  pleased  him  much  to  seek  repose. 


118  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VIII. 

Then  the  long -suffering  Ulysses  slept 

On  a  wrought  couch  beneath  the  sounding  porch.    345 

Alcinous  reclined  in  a  recess, 

And  by  his  side  the  queen  his  couch  adorned. 


# 


BOOK     VIII. 


When  early  rosy -fingered  morn  appeared, 

Up  from  his  couch  Alcinous  arose ; 

Up  rose  Ulysses,  noble  warrior. 

The  king  Alcinous  then  led  the  way 

To  the  Phseacian  forum,  near  the  ships.  5 

When  they  arrived  they  sate  in  company 

On  polished  stones.     Then  through  the  city  went 

Pallas  Minerva,  likening  her  form 

To  th'  herald  of  the  wise  Alcinous, 

Of  brave  Ulysses  planning  the  return. 

And,  standing  by  each  man,  addressed  them  thus  :  10 

'  Princes  and  chiefs  of  the  Phseacians  ! 

'  To  the  assembly  come,  that  you  may  hear 

'  News  of  the  stranger  who  has  lately  come 

'  Unto  the  house  of  wise  Alcinous, 

1  A  wand'rer  o'er  the  sea,  a  God  in  form.'  r* 

She  by  her  words  the  mind  of  each  aroused^  *       15 
And  soon  the  forum  and  the  seats  were  filled 
With  men.     They  wondered  when  they  saw  the  son 
Of  wise  Laertes ;  for  Minerva  shed 
Upon  his  head  and  shoulders  grace  divine ; 


y 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VIII.  119 

Made  him  more  tall  and  portly  to  behold,  2o 

That  so  to  the  Phseacians  he  might  seem 

Both  noble  and  majestic,  and  excel 

In  contests  when  Ulysses  they  should  prove. 

When  in  assembly  they  collected  were, 

Alcinous  harangued  them  thus,  and  said  :  25 

1  Ye  chiefs  and  princes  of  Phseacia  !  hear, 

1  While  I  shall  tell  you  what  my  mind  commands. 

*  This  stranger,  who  he  is  I  know  not,  came 

*  A  wand'rer  to  my  house  ;  and  he  may  be 

*  Either  of  eastern  or  of  western  men. 

1  Convoy  he  asks,  and  prays  that  it  be  sure.  30 

1  A  convoy  let  us  hasten  as  of  yore  ; 

*  For  no  one  else  who  to  my  house  has  come 
'  Has  stayed  lamenting  for  a  convoy  long. 

1  Come,  let  us  launch  a  ship  that  sails  the  first  35 

\  *  Upon  the  sea,  and  from  the  people  choose 

*  Youths  fifty-two,  before  approved  the  best. 

*  Ye  on  the  benches  having  bound  the  oars 

*  Debark,  and  quickly  going  to  my  house 

*  Prepare  a  feast :  I  will  provide  for  all. 

*  Such  charge  I  give  the  youths  ;  but  ye  the  rest,      40 

*  The  sceptred  princes,  to  my  house  repair, 

*  That  there  the  stranger  we  may  entertain. 

*  Let  none  refuse  ;  and  call  that  bard  divine, 
'  Demodocus,  on  whom  the  God  bestows 

*  A  song  to  charm  us  when  inclined  to  sing.'  45 

He  spake  and  led  the  way  :  the  sceptred  chiefs 
Followed ;  a  herald  went  to  fetch  the  bard. 
The  youths  selected,  two  and  fifty,  went 
To  the  sea-shore  as  he  commanded  them. 


120  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK  VIII. 

But  when  they  to  the  ship  and  sea  had  come,  50 

Into  the  black  wave's  depth  they  launched  the  ship. 

In  the  black  ship  they  placed  the  masts  and  sails ; 

Within  the  leathern  rowlocks  fixed  the  oars 

In  order  due  ;  the  white  sails  spread  aloft, 

And,  in  deep  water  anchoring  the  ship,  55 

Went  to  the  palace  of  Alcinous. 

The  porches,  courts,  and  halls  were  filled  with  men 

[Collected  many  there  both  young  and  old.] 

For  them  Alcinous  twelve  sheep  bade  slay ; 

Eight  white-tusked  swine  ;  two  trailing-footed  beeves. 

They  skinned  and  dressed  them,  and  prepared  the  feast.  60 

The  herald  near  them  brought  the  much-loved  bard, 

Whom  the  muse  loved,  and  gave  him  good  and  ill ; 

Deprived  of  eyes  but  gave  him  pleasant  song. 

Pontonous  a  silver-studded  throne  65 

Placed  for  him  'mid  the  guests,  and  rested  it 

Upon  a  column  ;  hung  his  tuneful  harp 

Above  his  head,  and  taught  his  hands  to  reach. 

By  him  a  dish  and  table  fair  he  placed, 

And  cup  of  wine  to  drink  when  he  inclined.  70 

Upon  the  food  prepared  their  hands  they  threw. 

When  they  with  food  and  drink  were  satisfied, 

The  muse  aroused  the  bard  the  glorious  deeds 

Of  men  to  sing ;  a  story  whose  renown 

E'en  then  to  heaven  had  reached ;  the  strife  between 

Ulysses  and  Achilles,  Peleus'  son  ;  75 

How  once  they  quarrelled  at  a  genial  feast 

In  the  God's  honour,  with  outrageous  words, 

And  Agamemnon,  king  of  men,  rejoiced 

When  quarrelled  thus  the  bravest  of  the  Greeks. 


f. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VIII.  121 

For  this  Apollo  by  an  oracle 

In  sacred  Pytho  told  him,  when  he  crossed  80 

The  marble  threshold  to  consult  the  God. 

Then  the  beginning  of  calamity 

To  Greeks  and  Trojans,  so  Jove  willed,  rolled  on. 

This  sang  the  famous  bard  :  Ulysses  then 

With  his  strong  hands  a  purple  kerchief  drew 

Down  o'er  his  head,  and  veiled  his  comely  face,  85 

Shamed  the  Pheeacians  should  his  moist  eyes  see. 

Then  when  the  bard  divine  his  song  had  ceased, 

Wiping  his  tears  away  Ulysses  took 

The  kerchief  from  his  head,  and  lifting  up 

A  goblet  made  libation  to  the  Gods. 

But  when  the  bard  again  began  to  sing,  90 

And  the  Phseacian  princes  urged  him  on, 

Delighted  with  the  strain,  Ulysses  drew 

Again  the  kerchief  o'er  his  head  and  groaned.    • 

He  wept  unseen  by  the  Phaeacians  : 

Alcinous  alone  perceived  and  marked, 

As  he  beside  him  sate,  his  heavy  groan ;  95 

And  the  Phaeacians,  fond  of  oars,  addressed : 

1  Princes  and  chiefs  of  the  Phaeacians  !  hear. 

1  We  with  the  equally-divided  feast, 

'And  with  the  harp,  companion  of  the  feast, 

*  Are  satisfied.      Now  let  us  go  and  try  100 
1  Athletic  contests,  that  the  stranger  may 
'  Tell  to  his  friends,  when  home  he  goes,  how  far 

All  other  men  in  boxing  we  excel, 

*  In  wrestling,  leaping,  and  in  speed  of  foot.' 

He  spake,  and,  while  they  followed,  led  the  way. 
A  herald  from  the  peg  the  loud-voiced  harp  105 


122  THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    VJII. 

Took  down,  and  by  the  hand  Demodocas 

Led  from  the  hall,  the  way  the  other  chief 

Phseacians  had  gone  to  see  the  games. 

They  to  the  forum  went ;  unnumbered  crowds 

Attended  ;  many  valiant  youths  stood  up :  HO 

Uprose  Acronius,  Ocyalus, 

Elatreus,  Nautes,  and  Anchialus, 

Prymneus,  Eretmus,  Ponteus,  Proreus, 

Thoon,  and  Anabesimus ;  and  next 

Amphialus,  the  son  of  Polyneus, 

The  son  of  Tecton,  and  Euryalus  115 

Vying  with  murd'rous  Mars  ;  Eubolides, 

Who  was  the  best  in  figure  and  in  face 

Of  all  Phasacians  next  Laodomas. 

Uprose  Alcinous'  three  noble  sons, 

Laodomas,  and,  rival  to  the  Gods, 

Clytoneiis  and  Halius ;  these  tried 

The  foot-race  first,  and  from  the  starting-place         120 

The  course  was  marked,  and  all  of  them  at  once 

Flew  swiftly,  raising  on  the  plain  a  dust. 

Clytoneiis  was  far  the  best  to  run  : 

Long  as  a  furrow 's  marked  for  mules  to  plough 

In  unturned  ground,  so  far  he  ran  the  first 

Up  to  the  crowd,  while  they  were  left  behind.  125 

Then  others  tried  the  wrestling  match  severe : 

Here  all  the  best  Euryalus  outshone. 

Amphialus  in  leaping  was  the  first ; 

Elatreus  with  the  discus ;  with  the  fist, 

Son  of  Alcinous,  Laodomas.  13° 

When  they  were  all  delighted  with  the  games, 

Laodomas  addressed  them  with  these  words : 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    VIII.  123 

i  Come,  friends  !  and  let  us  now  the  stranger  ask 

*  If  he  is  skilled  in  many  games.     In  form 

'  He's  not  deficient,  nor  in  thighs  and  knees,  135 

*  In  hands  above,  and  sturdy  neck  and  strength  ; 

1  Nor  lacks  he  youth,  though  worn  by  many  woes  ; 

'  For  than  the  sea  there's  nothing  worse,  I  ween, 

1  To  break  a  man,  however  strong  he  be.' 

To  him  Euryalus  replied  and  said :  140 

1  Well,  hast  thou  spoken,  0  Laodomas ! 

['  Now  with  a  challenge  go  and  make  thy  speech.'] 

Alcinous'  brave  son,  when  this  he  heard, 
Stood  in  the  midst  and  to  Ulysses  said  : 
1  Come,  reverend  stranger  !  thou  too  try  the  games,  145 
■  If  thou  art  skilled,  as  likely  seems,  therein.       « «  kj. 
1  No  greater  glory  to  a  man  can  be  ^=>4^ 

'  Than  what  with  hands  and  feet  he  can  achieve. 
1  Come  try,  and  from  thy  mind  thy  cares  disperse  ; 
1  Not  distant  is  the  time  of  thy  return ;  150 

1  Launched  is  the  ship  and  ready  are  the  crew.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 
1  Laodomas  !  why  jesting  urge  ye  this  1 

*  More  in  my  mind  are  sorrows  than  are  games, 

*  Who  in  time  past  have  toiled  and  suffered  much,  155 
1  And  now,  in  your  assembly  sitting,  ask 

*  Return ;  to  king  and  people  suppliant.' 
Euryalus  thus  scoffingly  replied  : 

*  Stranger  !  I  do  not  think  thee  like  to  one 

'  Well-skilled  in  all  the  many  games  of  men,  ICO 

'  But  to  a  man  who  frequently  in  ships 

1  Is  chief  of  sailors  who  go  trafficking, 

1  Mindful  of  freight  and  watching  for  returns 


124  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    VIII. 

*  And  stealthy  gains  ;  not  to  an  athlete  like.' 

Ulysses,  sternly  eyeing  him,  replied  :  165 

'  Thou  say'st  not  well ;  thou  seemest  arrogant. 
1  So  the  Gods  give  not  graceful  gifts  to  all, 

*  As  beauty,  wisdom,  eloquent  address. 

*  One  man  is  mean  in  figure,  but  his  form 

*  God  crowns  with  eloquence,  and  other  men  170 
'  Delighted  gaze  while  fluently  he  speaks 

1  With  sweet  persuasion,  and  amid  them  shines, 

*  Who  in  the  city  view  him  as  a  God. 
y  'jf'  Again  another  to  immortal  Gods 

^y      '  Is  like  in  form,  but  no  grace  crowns  his  words.       175 
y         ^So  though  thy  form  is  fair,  nor  God  himself 
r  Could  mend  it,  thou  art  empty  in  thy  mind. 
*"Thou  hast  aroused  my  soul  within  my  breast, 
'  Thus  rudely  speaking ;  not  in  games  am  I 
'  A  novice,  as  thou  say'st^    Among  the  first  180 

'  Was  I,  when  I  could  trust  my  youth  and  hands. 
'  Now  I'm  oppressed  by  misery  and  woe  ; 
1  Have  suffered  much,  and  had  experience 
'  Of  wars  with  men,  and  hardships  in  the  waves. 
1  Yet  even  so,  though  much  I  have  endured, 
'  I'll  make  a  trial  in  the  games  :  thy  speech 

*  Has  Btungjny  soul,  thy  words  have  urged  me  on. '185 
Cloaked  as  he  was  he  rushed  and  seized  a  disc*. 

More  large  and  heavy  by  no  small  excess 

Than  what  Pheeacians  flung  among  themselves. 

Whirling  he  sent  it  from  his  stalwart  arm ; 

Loud  boomed  the  stone,  and  cowered  to  the  ground* 90 

The  long-oared  ship-renowned  Phaeacians 

Beneath  the  cast :  past  all  the  bounds  it  flew 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VIII.  125 

Quick  speeding  from  his  hand  ;  Minerva  marked 
The  limit,  like  a  man  in  form,  and  said : 

*  A  blind  man,  stranger  !  could  thy  mark  discern     195 
1  By  feeling ;  'tis  not  with  the  crowd  confused 

1  But  far  the  first ;  take  courage  in  the  game ; 

*  This  no  Phseacian  will  or  reach  or  pass.' 

Divine  Ulysses  at  her  words  rejoiced, 
When  in  the  games  a  kindly  friend  he  saw,  200 

And  the  Phseacians  in  light  strain  addressed  : 

*  Come  up  to  that,  young  men  !  and  I  will  throw 

*  Another  such  as  it,  or  further  still. 

*  And  in  the  other  games  let  any  one, 

1  Whose  heart  and  mind  persuade  him,  come  and  try, 205 
1  (For  much  ye  have  provoked  me)  or  with  list 

*  Or  wrestling,  running ;  nothing  reck  I  which  : 

*  Any  Phseacian  but  Laodomas ; 

*  He  is  my  host :  who  with  his  friend  would  strive  1 

*  The  man  is  foolish  and  of  no  account 

1  Who,  in  a  strange  land,  with  his  host  contends      210 

*  In  games,  and  perils  all  his  own  success. 

*  None  of  the  rest  refuse  I  or  disdain, 

1  Willing  to  know  and  try  them,  face  to  face, 

1  No  mean  competitor  in  manly  games. 

1  The  polished  bow  to  handle  wnll  T  know,  215 

1  And  would  be  first  to  shoot  at  and  to  hit 

*  A  man  among  a  crowd  of  enemies, 

1  Though  many  of  my  friends  stood  by  and  shot. 
'  Me  Philoctetes  only  with  the  bow 

*  Could  vanquish,  when  at  Troy  we  Grecians  shot.    220 
'  But  o'er  the  rest  I  claim  pre-eminence, 

'  As  many  men  as  now  eat  food  on  earth. 


126  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VIII. 

1  But  with  the  former  men  I  will  not  vie, 

'  Alcides  or  (Echalian  Eurytus, 

'  Who  with  th'  immortals  vied  in  archery.  225 

1  Therefore  great  Eurytus  died  suddenly, 

1  Nor  reached  old  age  ;  for  him  Apollo  slew 

1  In  anger,  when  he  challenged  him  to  shoot 

'  Further  than  other  men  an  arrow  send. 

*  I  hurl  the  spear  ;  but  only  am  afraid 

'  Lest  some  Phseacian  in  the  race  excel ;  230 

*  For  I  have  been  disastrously  subdued 

*  'Mid  many  waves,  nor  is  much  care  bestowed 

1  On  ship-board ;  therefore  are  my  knees  unnerved.' 

So  spake  he,  and  they  all  in  silence  sate. 
Alcinous  alone  replied  and  said  :  235 

*  Stranger  !  thou  nothing  say'st  offensively, 

*  But  dost  consent  thy  prowess  to  display, 

1  Enraged  because  that  man  disparaged  thee  : 
'  Whereas  no  mortal  could  thy  prowess  blame, 
1  Who  in  his  mind  knows  prudent  things  to  speak.  240 
1  Now  hear  my  words  that,  when  within  thy  halls 
1  Thou  feastest  with  thy  wife  and  children  near, 
'  Thou  to  some  other  hero  mayst  them  tell, 
1  Remembering  our  prowess,  and  what  deeds 
1  Jove  from  our  sires  perpetuates  to  us.  245 

r  We  not  for  boxing  are  or  wrestling  famed, 

*  But  are  swift  runners,  and  excel  in  ships. 

'  To  us  the  feast,  the  harp,  the  dance  are  dear, 

*  Changes  of  garments,  and  hot  baths  and  beds. 

1  But  come,  Phseacian  dancers  !  all  the  best !  250 

'  Disport  ye,  that  our  guest  may  tell  his  friends, 
1  When  home  he  goes,  how  others  we  excel 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VIII.  127 

'  In  seamanship,  in  running,  dance  and  song. 

*  Let  some  one  go,  and  for  Demodocus 

*  Bring  the  loud  harp  which  in  my  house  is  laid.'     255 

So  spake  Alcinous  :  a  herald  rushed 
From  the  king's  house  the  hollow  harp  to  bring. 
Nine  chosen  public  arbiters  stood  up, 
Who  in  the  contests  used  to  manage  well. 
They  smoothed  the  dancing-ground,  made  wide  the 
space.  260 

The  herald,  bringing  for  Demodocus 
The  sounding  harp,  approached,  and  to  the  midst 
He  went,  while  young  men  in  the  prime  of  life  -^5^  J( 

Stood  up  around  him,  skilful  in  the  dance,    ^-^r^^  yj^^ 

And  beat  the  graceful  measure  with  their  feet,    rjjs*^^  f^ 
Ulysses  watched  them  twinkling  and  admirecL—   %} 2ffi <fryJ*     v 
The  harper  then  upraised  a  charming  song,         ""^^Pftii-S"*^ 
The  love  of  well-crowned  Venus  and  of  Mars, 
How  in  the  house  of  Vulcan  they  intrigued 
In  secresy,  and  many  gifts  he  gave, 
When  he  dishonoured  royal  Vulcan's  couch.  270 

But  quickly  came  the  sun,  a  messenger, 
Who  had  detected  them  in  their  intrigue. 
When  Vulcan  heard  the»tale  that  grieved  his  mind, 
Devising  mischief,  to  his  forge  he  went, 
And  on  the  stock  a  weighty  anvil  placed, 
And  hammered  strong  indissoluble  chains  275 

That  they  might  firm  remain,  and  when  the  toils 
He  had  completed,  went,  enraged  with  Mars, 
Into  the  chamber  where  his  bed  was  laid, 
And  round  the  posts  entwined  the  circling  chains. 
They  hung  in  numbers  from  the  roof  above, 


128  THE    ODYSSEY.  -  BOOK    VIII. 

Slender  as  spiders'  webs,  which  none  could  see,        2S0 

Not  e'en  a  God  ;  so  subtly  were  they  made. 

When  he  had  placed  the  toils  around  the  bed 

He  hasted  off  to  Lemnos,  well-built  town, 

The  place  most  dear  to  him  in  all  the  earth. 

Mars,  for  the  golden  reins  renowned,  had  kept 

No, blind  look-out:  when  Vulcan,  famed  for  art,      285 

He  saw  apart  retiring,  to  the  house 

Of  Vulcan,  famed  for  art,  he  went  with  speed, 

Intent  to  gain  the  well-crowned  Venus'  love. 

She  from  her  father,  Saturn's  mighty  son, 

Came  recently  and  sate  :  he  went  within,  290 

Clung  to  her  hand  and  then  addressed  her  thus : 

*  Come,  dear  !  and  let  us  in  our  love  indulge  : 
1  Vulcan  is  not  at  home,  for  he  is  gone 

6  To  Lemnos,  to  the  rough-voiced  Sintians.' 

He  spake,  and  she  accorded  free  assent.  295 

The  artful  toils  which  crafty  Vulcan  made 
Contracted  round,  nor  could  they  move  a  limb, 
And  then  they  knew  that  there  was  no  escape. 
The  famous  Vulcan,  lame  in  both  his  feet,  300 

Drew  near,  returning  ere  he  Lemnos  reached  ; 
The  sun  had  kept  a  watch  and  told  the  tale ; 
[And  to  his  house  he  hastened,  grieved  at  heart]. 
Rage  seized  him  as  within  the  doors  he  stood ; 
He  shouted  loudly  and  called  all  the  Gods :  305 

'  0  father  Jove  !  and  all  ye  blessed  Gods  ! 
1  Come  these  absurd  intolerable  deeds 
'  To  see ;  how  Venus,  daughter  of  high  Jove, 

*  Me  lame  dishonours  and  loves  fiendish  Mars ; 

1  For  he  is  fair  and  active;  I  am  weak  ;  310 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VIII.  129 

f  For  this  none  other  are  to  blame  except 

*  My  parents,  who  should  not  have  giv'n  me  birth. 
'  But  come  and  see  how  plain  the  fact  appears, 

1  While  my  dishonour  I  with  grief  behold. 

*  I  never  thought  they  would  so  guilty  be  315 
'  Though  they  might  love ;    they  soon  will  have  no 

wish 
'  To  sleep,  but  toils  and  chains  shall  bind  them  both 

*  Until  her  sire  repays  the  spousal  gifts, 

'  Which  I  have  pledged  for  this  immodest  girl 

6  His  daughter,  beauteous  but  incontinent.'  320 

He  spake  :  the  Gods  assembled  at  the  house. 
The  earth-surrounding  Neptune  thither  came, 
Luck -giving  Hermes,  Phoebus,  archer-king  : 
The  Goddesses  for  shame  remained  at  home. 
The  bounteous  Gods  within  the  portals  stood ;  325 

And  unextinguishable  laughter  rose 
Among  the  blessed  Gods,  when  they  beheld 
The  arts  of  Vulcan  for  his  craft  renowned  : 
And  looking  to  his  neighbour  thus  said  one ; 

*  Bad  deeds  ne'er  thrive  :  the  slow  o'ertakes  the  swift : 
'  So  now  slow  Vulcan  has  got  hold  of  Mars.  330 
'  Lame  though  he  be,  the  swiftest  God  who  dwells 

4  Upon  Olympus  he  has  caught  by  art, 

1  And  he  th'  adulterer's  penalty  must  pay.' 

So  they  to  one  another  such  things  spake  ; 
Then  Phoebus,  son  of  Jove,  to  Hermes  said  :  335 

*  Hermes  !  thou  son  of  Jove,  the  messenger, 

*  Giver  of  luck  !  how  wouldst  thou  like  to  sleep, 

'  With  strong  chains  bound,  in  golden  Venus'  couch?' 
Hermes,  the  messenger,  to  him  replied: 

K 


130  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   VIII. 

*  Would  it  were  so,  0  Phoebus,  archer-king ! 

1  Though  thrice  as  many  chains  encircled  me,  340 

*  And  all  ye  Gods  and  Goddesses  looked  on, 
'  Still  by  the  golden  Venus  I  would  sleep.' 

So  spake  he  :  laughter  rose  among  the  Gods  : 
But  Neptune  did  not  laugh ;  he  still  besought 
Vulcan,  the  craftsman,  to  let  Mars  go  free,  345 

And  with  his  winged  words  addressed  him  thus : 
'  Loose  them,  and  I  will  promise  he  shall  pay 
'  At  thy  demand  what's  right  among  the  Gods.' 

The  lame  illustrious  Vulcan  then  replied  : 
1  Earth -circling  Neptune  !  do  not  ask  me  this:         350 
1  The  pledges  of  the  worthless  worthless  are. 

*  How  could  I  come  on  thee  among  the  Gods 

8  Should  Mars  abscond,  escaping  debt  and  chains  ? ' 
Neptune,  the  shaker  of  the  earth,  replied  :  355 

*  Vulcan  !  should  Mars,  escaping  from  the  debt, 
'  Take  flight,  the  obligation  I  will  pay.' 

The  lame  illustrious  Vulcan  answered  him  : 
'  ft  is  not  fit  that  I  thy  words  gainsay.' 

Strong  Vulcan,  speaking  thus,  relaxed  the  chains. 
They  from  the  chains,  though  firm  they  were,  set  free, 
Rushed  off  without  delay  :  to  Thracia  he ;  360 

To  Cyprus  laughter-loving  Venus  went, 
To  Paphos,  where  her  grove  and  altar  are. 
The  Graces  bathed,  and  with  ambrosial  oil, 
Such  as  to  Gods  belongs,  anointed  her,  3G5 

And  clothed  with  lovely  vests,  a  sight  to  see  ! 

Thus  sang  the  famous  bard  with  great  delight ; 
Ulysses  heard  and  the  Phaeacians, 
Men  of  long  oars  and  famed  for  seamanship. 


, 


oJ^ 


THE   ODYSSEY. —BOOK   VIII.  131 

To  Halius  and  to  Laodornas  370 

Alcinous  then  gave  command  to  dance 
Alone  j  for  with  them  no  one  could  contend. 
When  the  fair  purple  ball  within  their  hands, 
Which  skilful  Polybus  had  made,  they  took, 
One  of  them  threw  it  to  the  shady  clouds, 
While  back  he  bent ;  the  other  leaping  high  375 

Easily  caught  it  ere  it  reached  the  ground. 
But  when  with  eagerness  they'd  plied  the  ball, 
With  rapid  change  upon  the  ground  they  danced. 
The  other  youths  who  stood  beside  the  game 
Applauded,  and  a  mighty  noise  arose.  380 

Ulysses  then  Alcinous  addressed.: 

*  0  king  Alcinous  !  illustrious  chief !  ^ 
'  Thou  boastest  that  thy  dancers  are  the  best  j\    ^         JL 

/'Tis  realized;  I  wonder  while  I  gaze.'  ^   ^"^ 

Vjle  spake  ;  Alcinous,  the  sacred  king,  385 

Rejoicing,  thus  to  the  Phseacians  said : 

1  Princes  and  chiefs  of  the  Phseacians  !  hear  : 

'  The  guest  a  manj)£JAi4ffl&gnL  seems  to  be  ; 

1  Let  us  a  gift  of  hospitality,  n* 

1  As  fit  it  is  we  should,  on  him  bestow. 

'  For  o'er  the  people  twelve  illustrious  chiefs  390 

1  Bear  sway  as  rulers,  and  the  thirteenth  I. 

*  To  him  let  each  a  well-washed  cloak  and  vest, 
i  And  of  the  precious  gold  a  talent,  give. 
'  Collecting  quickly  let  us  bring  them  all, 

*  That  to  the  feast  he  may  rejoicing  go ;  395 
4  And  let  Euryalus  with  words  and  gift 
'  Appease  him,  for  he  has  not  spoken  well.' 

He  spake  j  they  all  agreed  and  orders  gave, 


132  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VIII. 

And  each  a  herald  sent  the  gifts  to  bring. 

Euryalus  addressed  him  then  and  said :  400 

*  0  king  Alcinous  !  illustrious  chief ! 

*  I  will  appease  the  stranger,  as  thou  bidst. 

'  I'll  give  this  sword  made  all  of  brass,  with  hilt 

1  Of  silver,  which  of  new-cut  ivory 

'  A  sheath  surrounds ;  and  great  its  value  is.'  405 

Thus  speaking  he  the  silver-hilted  sword 
Placed  in  his  hands,  and  said  these  winged  words : 
1  Hail,  guest  revered  !  if  any  word  unkind  . 

'  Was  uttered,  let  the  whirl-winds  bear  it  off !       I 
1  May  the  Gods  grant  to  thee  to  see  thy  wife,       /    410 
'  And  to  thy  home  return,  for  many  woes 
'  Thou  bearest,  from  thy  friends  removed  afar  ! 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said : 

*  And  hail  thou  too,  my  friend  !  and  may  the  Gods 
1  Grant  thee  prosperity,  nor  may  regret 

*  Come  over  thee  hereafter  for  the  sword  415 
1  Which  thou  hast  giv'n  me  with  appeasing  words ! ' 

He  spake  and  round  his  shoulders  placed  the  sword. 
The  sun  was  setting,  and  the  gifts  arrived, 
Which  to  the  palace  of  Alcinous 
The  noble  heralds  bore  ;  and  them  the  sons 
Of  the  renowned  Alcinous  received ; 
And  in  their  venerable  mother's  charge  420 

They  placed  the  beauteous  gifts.     Alcinous 
Went  first ;  they  came,  and  sate  on  lofty  thrones ; 
And  to  Arete  spake  Alcinous  : 
'  A  chest  go  bring  me,  wife  !  the  best ; 

*  And  place  a  well-washed  cloak  and  vest  therein.    425 
'  Put  on  the  fire  a  cauldron  ;  water  heat, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VIII.  133 

'  That,  having  bathed  and  seen  the  gifts  bestowed, 
1  Which  the  illustrious  Phseacians  brought, 
'  He  may  enjoy  the  feast,  and  hear  the  song : 
1  And  I  will  give  him  this  fair  golden  bowl,  430 

1  That  all  his  days  he  may,  remembering  me, 
1  To  Jove  and  th'  other  Gods  libation  make.' 
He  spake :  Arete  bade  her  maidens  quick 
A  mighty  tripod  on  the  fire  to  place. 
They  on  the  fire  a  bathing-tripod  placed,  435 

Poured  water  in  and  kindled  wood  below. 
The  flames  surrounded  it ;  the  water  boiled. 
Meantime  Arete  from  her  chamber  brought 
A  fair  chest  for  the  stranger,  and  therein 
The  beauteous  gifts  she  placed,  the  vests,  the  gold,  440 
Which  the  Phseacians  gave  him  ;  and  herself 
A  cloak  and  tunic  fair  bestowed  therein ; 
And  then  addressed  him  with  these  winged  words  : 

*  Look  to  the  lid  thyself,  and  draw  the  band, 

*  That  no  one  on  the  way  may  injure  them, 

1  When  thou  sleep'st  sweetly,  going  o'er  the  sea.'     445 

When  this  long- suffering  Ulysses  heard, 
He  fixed  the  lid,  and  tied  an  artful  knot,  YfV^ 

Which  wily  CJE£e_taught  him  how  to  make.  ^' 
The  house-keeper  then  bade  him  quickly  bathe 
Ent'ring  the  cauldron ;  and  he  eagerly  450 

Eyed  the  warm  water,  cared  for  scantily 
Since  fair  Calypso's  palace  he  had  left, 
Where  care  was  on  him,  as  a  God,  bestowed. 
When  him  the  maids  had  bathed  and  rubbed  with  oil, 
Round  him  a  tunic  and  fair  vest  they  threw.  455 

He,  going  from  the  bath,  the  feasters  joined. 


1  34  THE   ODYSSEY.  —BOOK   VIII. 

Nausicaa,  with  beauty  from  the  Gods, 

Stood  by  a  column  of  the  well-made  roof. 

She  at  Ulysses  looked  admiringly, 

And  then  addressed  him  with  these  winged  words  :  430 

'  Hail,  stranger  !  when  thou  goest  to  thine  home 

*  Remember  me,  to  whom  thou  ow'st  thy  life.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  : 

*  Nausicaa  !  of  brave  Aleinous 

'  The  child  !  may  Jupiter,  the  thundering  spouse     405 
1  Of  Juno,  grant  that  I  may  so  go  home 

*  And  see  the  day  of  my  return,  as  I 

i  Will  ever  vows  as  to  a  Goddess  make 

'  To  thee  ;  for,  lady  !  thou  hast  saved  my  life.' 

He  spake,  and  sate  by  king  Aleinous. 
The  portions  now  they  carved,  and  mingled  wine.    470 
A  herald  then  Demodocus  led  in, 
The  bard  much  loved  and  honoured  by  them  all, 
And  'mid  the  feasters  by  a  column  placed. 
The  wise  Ulysses  to  a  herald  said, 
The  back  dividing  of  a  fierce-toothed  swine  475 

With  liquid  fat  besprent,  while  more  was  left : 
1  Herald  !  this  flesh  give  to  Demodocus, 

*  That  he  may  eat.     Afflicted  as  I  am 

1  This  compliment  I'll  pay,  for  bards  may  claim 

1  Respect  and  honour  from  all  earthly  men  ;  480 

1  Them  the  muse  teaches  song,  and  loves  their  race.' 

He  spoke  ;  the  herald  placed  it  in  the  hands 
Of  famed  Demodocus,  and  he  rejoiced. 
Upon  the  food  prepared  their  hands  they  laid. 
When  they  with  drink  and  food  were  satisfied,         485 
Ulysses  thus  Demodocus  addressed  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VIII.  135 

1  Demodocus  !  above  all  mortal  men 

■  I  praise  thee  :  thee  the  muse,  the  child  of  Jove, 
*  Or  Phoebus  self  has  taught ;  thou  singest  well 

1  The  Grecians'  fate  in  order  ;  what  they  did 

'  And  suffered,  and  what  toils  they  underwent,        490 

■  As  there  thyself,  or  taught  by  one  who  was. 

{ Come  !  vary  now  the  theme,  and  sing  .  .        l\f 

▼  About  the  building  of  the  wooden  horse^     \\^~+^Z^ 

'  Which,  with  Minerva's  help,  Epeus  made  ; 

'  That  wile  which  into  the  Acropolis. 

1  Divine  Ulysses  introduced,  and  filled 

.'  With  warriors  who  Ilium  o'erthrew.  495 

'  Would  that  in  order  thou  couldst  this  recite  ! 

'  And  I  will  tell  it  forth  to  all  mankind 

'  How  God  has  given  thee  a  song  divine.' 

He  spake ;  and  he  inspired  by  God  began, 
Selecting  for  his  song  how  in  their  ships  500 

The  Argives,  having  burned  their  tents,  set  sail. 
They  now  around  the  famed  Ulysses  sate 
Upon  Troy's  forum,  hid  within  the  horse, 
Which  to  the  citadel  the  Trojans  drew  ; 
And  there  it  stood  ;  they  many  vain  words  said,      505 
Sitting  around,  and  threefold  counsel  took  ; 
Either  to  cut  it  with  relentless  sword ; 
Or  drag  and  hurl  it  down  a  precipice  ; 
Or  make  it  a  peace-offering  to  the  Gods. 
And  this  their  final  purpose  was  to  be  :  510 

'Twas  fate  that  they  should  perish,  when  the  town 
Enclosed  the  wooden  horse,  where  sate  the  chiefs 
Of  Argos,  bringing  death  and  fate  to  Troy. 
He  sang  how  the  Achseans  sacked  the  town, 


It 


136  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VIII. 

Poured  from  the  hollow  ambush  of  the  horse.  515 

He  sang  what  each  did  to  destroy  the  town ; 

With  Menelaus  how  Ulysses  sought, 

Like  Mars,  the  palace  of  Deiphobus ; 

And  how,  a  dreadful  warfare  having  dared, 

At  last  he  conquered  by  Minerva's  aid.  520 

Thus  sang  the  famous  bard  :  Ulysses  wept, 
And  from  his  eyes  a  tear  bedewed  his  cheeks. 
As  wails  a  woman,  clinging  to  her  spouse 
Who  for  his  home  and  countrymen  has  died, 
From  town  and  children  seeking  to  repel  525 

The  day  so  pitiless ;  she  sees  him  breathe 
His  dying  gasp,  and  lying  on  him  weeps  ; 
Behind,  the  foe  her  back  and  shoulders  strike, 
And  bear  her  off,  a  slave,  to  toil  and  woe, 
While  her  cheeks  fade  away  with  piteous  grief;        530 
Ulysses  so  a  piteous  tear  let  fall. 
His  weeping  was  from  all  the  rest  concealed  : 
Alcinous  observed  it  as  he  sate 
Beside,  and  heard  him  groaning  heavily  ; 
And  the  Phseacians,  fond  of  oars,  addressed  :  535 

'  Princes  and  chiefs  of  the  Phseacians  !  hear : 
'  His  loud  harp  let  Demodocus  restrain, 
'  For  his  song  does  not  give  delight  to  all. 

*  Since  the  feast  ended  and  the  bard  arose, 

*  The  stranger  has  not  ceased  at  all  from  grief;        540 
4  And  sorrow  greatly  has  o'ercome  his  mind. 

1  Now  let  him  cease,  that  we  may  all  be  pleased, 
4  Both  hosts  and  guest,  for  'tis  much  better  so. 

*  'Tis  for  our  honoured  guest  these  things  are  done ; 

1  Convoy  and  gifts  which  we  in  love  bestow.  545 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    VIII.  137 

1 A  guest  and  suppliant  as  brother  is, 

c  However  little  he  may  touch  our  hearts. 

1  But  thou  !  conceal  not  in  thine  artful  mind 

*  What  I  shall  ask ;  'tis  better  to  speak  out. 

1  Say  by  what  name  thy  father,  mother,  those  550 

1  Of  thine  own  city,  those  who  dwell  around, 

*  Address  thee  :  no  man  is  without  a  name, 
1  Or  base  or  noble,  since  he  first  was  born. 

'  Men's  parents  give  it  w7hen  they  give  them  birth. 
'  Tell  me  thy  land,  thy  people  and  thy  town  ;  555 

*  That  our  ships  thither  may  know  how  to  go  : 

*  For  the  Phaeacian  ships  no  pilots  have 

*  Nor  rudders,  such  as  other  ships  possess, 

1  But  know  themselves  the  minds  and  thoughts  of  men  ; 
'  The  cities  and  rich  fields  of  all  men  know,  560 

*  And  quickly  pass  the  deep  gulf  of  the  sea, 

*  By  mist  and  cloud  concealed ;  nor  is  there  fear 

*  That  they  should  come  to  harm  or  be  destroyed. 

*  [This  formerly  I  heard  my  father  say, 

*  Nausithous  ;  that  Neptune  had  of  us  565 
'  Much  jealousy,  because  we  convoyed  all 

*  In  safety ;  and  that,  at  a  future  time, 

*  He  said  he  would  destroy  a  well-wrought  ship 

*  Of  the  Phseacians  on  its  voyage  home 

1  In  the  deep  sea,  and  that  a  mighty  rock 

*  Should  hide  our  city,  so  the  old  man  said,  570 

*  And  this  the  God  may  or  perform  or  not, 

*  According  to  the  pleasure  of  his  mind.] 

*  But  come  now  !  tell  me  this  and  tell  me  true  ; 

1  Where  thou  hast  wandered  and  to  what  lands  been ; 
1  The  men  themselves ;  the  cities  where  they  dwell ; 


138  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX. 

'  If  they  are  cruel,  savage,  and  unjust,  575 

*  Or  hospitable  and  of  mind  devout. 

*  Say  why  thou  weep'st,  why  grievest  in  thy  soul, 

*  Hearing  the  fate  of  Grecians  and  of  Troy  ? 

1  This  the  Gods  caused  and  planned  the  death  of  men, 
'  To  be  a  song  for  those  about  to  be.  580 

1  In  front  of  Troy  has  one,  thy  kinsman,  died, 

*  Step-son,  step-father,  who  have  dearest  been 

*  In  blood  and  race  1  or  pleasant  to  thy  mind  1 

1  Some  valiant  friend  1  no  less  than  brother  is  585 

*  The  friend  who  is  in  prudent  counsels  skilled.' 

// 


BOOK     IX. 


The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said : 
1  Alciuous  !  of  all  the  people  chief ! 
1  Tis  well  indeed  to  such  a  bard  as  this 
4  To  listen,  who  is  like  the  Gods  in  voice. 

*  No  object  more  delightful  is,  I  ween, 

*  Than  this ;  when  all  the  people  pleasure  take, 
1  And  feasting  listen  to  a  bard  at  home, 

*  In  order;  while  the  tables  near  are  full 

1  Of  bread  and  flesh,  and  the  cup-bearer  draws 
'  Wine  from  the  bowl  and  pours  it  in  the  cups. 

*  This  seems  to  me  most  charming  to  the  mind. 

*  Thy  spirit  urges  thee  to  search  my  woes, 

1  So  sad  that  I  the  more  must  grieve  and  groan. 
'  What  shall  I  first,  what  shall  I  last  recite  1 
1  For  many  woes  the  heav'nly  Gods  have  caused. 


10 


15 


TIIE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  139 

1  First  I  will  tell  that  ye  may  know  my  name  ; 

*  Next  how,  escaping  the  relentless  day, 

' 1  am  your  guest  and  dwell  from  hence  afar.       <^SL^^h  * '■ 
f\  am  Ulysses,  of  Laertes  son, 

*  Esteemed  by  all  men  for  my  crafty  plans,  20 

*  And  of  renown  which  reaches  to  the  sky. 

*  I  dwell  in  sunny  Ithaca  ;  a  mount 

*  Shady,  far-seen,  called  Neriton,  is  there. 

*  Near  to  each  other  many  isles  lie  round, 
'Samos,  Zacynthus,  and  Dulichium. 

*  Itself  where  low  stands  high  up  in  the  sea  25 

*  Westward,  but  they  are  to  the  dawning  sun. 

*  The  isle  is  rough,  but  nourishes  brave  youths  : 

*  I  can  nought  sweeter  than  one's  own  land  see : 

*  Calypso,  nymph  divine,  detained  me  thence 

*  [In  hollow  caves  and  wooed  me  for  her  spouse] ;      30 

*  Also  ^Eaean,  crafty,  Circe  kept 

1  Me  in  her  house  and  wooed  me  for  her  spouse. 

*  But  they  did  not  persuade  my  mind  and  breast : 

*  Than  home  and  parents  nothing  is  more  sweet, 

'  E'en  though  a  rich  house  in  a  stranger  land  35       mH*i 

*  One  may  inhabit,  from  his  parents  far^  -J  to^H^r^ 

*  Come  !  I  will  tell  thee  of  my  sad  return,      \m**       ^°" 
1  Which  Jove  laid  on  me  when  I  came  from  Troy^. 

'  The  wind  that  bore  from  Troy  conducted  me 

*  To  the  Ciconians  at  Ismarus.  40 
'  I  sacked  the  city  and  destroyed  the  men ; 

*  Took  from  it  wives  and  goods,  and  shared  them  so 

I  That  none  should  question  the  equality. 

I I  bade  that  we  with  hasty  food  should  fly, 
'  But  in  their  folly  they  did  not  obey  : 


140  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX. 

'  Much  wine  was  drunk,  and  many  sheep  they  slew,  45 

4  And  trailing-footed  oxen  by  the  shore. 

4  But  then  Ciconians  to  Ciconians  called, 

1  Their  neighbours,  more  and  braver  than  themselves, 

4  Who  on  the  main-land  dwelt,  and  skilful  were 

4  To  light  from  chariots  and  as  infantry.  50 

4  Many  as  leaves  and  flowrets  in  the  spring 

1  They  came  at  early  dawn  :  Jove's  evil  fate 

1  Came  o'er  us  that  much  grief  we  should  endure. 

'  The  battle  ranging  by  the  ships  they  fought, 

'  And  struck  each  other  with  their  brazen  darts.        55 

4  While  it  was  dawn  and  wTaxed  the  sacred  day, 

1  So  long  repelling  greater  force  we  stood  : 

1  When  the  sun  reached  the  oxen-loosing  west, 

1  Then  the  Ciconians  subdued  the  Greeks. 

*  Six  well-greaved  friends  from  ev'ry  ship  were  slain,  60 
1  And  we,  the  rest,  escaped  from  death  and  fate. 

4  Thence  onward,  grieved  at  heart,  we  sailed,  rejoiced 
'  To  flee  from  death  though  we  had  lost  our  friends. 

*  No  further  did  our  vessels  go,  till  thrice 

4  Each  of  our  hapless  friends  we  had  invoked,  65 

4  By  the  Ciconians  slain  upon  the  shore. 

4  The  cloud-compelling  Jove  urged  Boreas 

1  Against  our  ships  with  a  tremendous  storm, 

4  Cov'ring  at  once  the  earth  and  sea  with  clouds ; 

4  And  from  the  sky  the  night  came  rushing  down. 

4  The  ships  were  borne  disorderly  ;  the  wind  76 

4  In  three-fold,  four-fold  fragments  rent  the  sails ; 

4  We  laid  them  in  the  ships  and  dreaded  death, 

4  And  rowed  the  ships  on  eagerly  to  land. 

4  Two  days  two  nights  we  there  unmoving  lay, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  141 

*  Wasting  our  mind  with  sorrow  and  fatigue  :  75 

*  But  when  fair -haired  Aurora  brought  the  third, 

*  We  reared  the  masts  and  spread  the  canvas  white, 
1  And  sate  while  wind  and  pilots  led  the  ships. 

'  And  I  should  scatheless  have  my  country  reached, 
'  But  me  the  wave,  the  current  and  north  wind,        80 
1  While  coasting  Malea,  past  Cythera  drove. 
1  Thence  for  nine  days  by  foul  winds  I  was  borne 

*  Upon  the  fishy  sea,  but  on  the  tenth    • 

1  We  reached  the  land  of  the  Lotophagi. 

'  We  went  upon  the  shore  and  water  drew,  85 

*  And  my  companions  supped  beside  the  ships. 
'  When  we  with  food  and  drink  were  satisfied, 

1  I  sent  my  friends  to  go  and  make  research 

'  Who  the  men  were  who  lived  upon  the  land  ; 

'  Selecting  two  ;  a  herald  for  the  third.  90' 

'  They  went  and  mixed  with  the  Lotophagi : 

'  Now  the  Lotophagi  did  not  devise 

1  Their  death,  but  gave  them  lotus  for  their  food. 

'  Whoever  eats  the  lotus'  honeyed  fruit 

*  Nor  wills  to  send  back  tidings  nor  return.  95 
1  They  wished  with  the  Lotophagi  to  stay, 

1  Eating  the  lotus,  and  return  forget. 

' 1  dragged  them,  weepin^jtoJJie-sbips  by  force, 

1  And  bound  them  under  hatches  in  the  ship. 

*  My  other  dear  companions  then  I  bade  100 

*  On  board  the  rapid  ships  to  go  in  haste, 

*  Lest  they  eat  lotus  and  return  forget. 

*  They  went  aboard  and  on  the  benches  sate, 

'  And  sitting  beat  the  white  sea  with  their  oars. 

'  Thence  further  on,  aggrieved  in  heart,  we  sailed,  105 


142  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  xAA^X 

1  And  to  the  haughty  lawless  ^Cyclops'  land 

*  We  came,  who,  trusting  in  th'  immortal  Gods, 

1  With  their  hands  neither  plant  the  seed  nor  plough  j 
1  But  ev'ry thing  springs  up,  unsown,  unploughed, 
'  Wheat,  barley,  and  the  vines  which  bear  the  wine  HO 
1  In  their  full  bunches,  which  Jove's  rain  promotes. 
1  They  have  no  meetings  to  consult  nor  laws, 

*  But  on  the  tops  of  lofty  mountains  dwell 

*  In  hollow  caves.     To  wives  and  children  each 

1  Gives  laws,  nor  one  another  they  respect.  115 

'  A  narrow  isle  extends  beyond  the  port 

1  Of  the  Cyclopean  land,  nor  near  nor  far, 

'  Woody,  wherein  unnumbered  wild  goats  breed  J 

'  For  human  footsteps  drive  them  not  away, 

'  Nor  hunters  track  with  dogs,  who  in  the  woods      12° 

*  Hardships  endure  upon  the  mountain  tops. 

*  [With  flocks  and  tillage  'tis  not  occupied 

*  Unsown,  unploughed,  it  is  from  day  to  day 

1  Devoid  of  men  but  feeds  the  bleating  goats.] 

1  No  ships  with  painted  sides  the  Cyclops'  have,       125 

'  Nor  are  there  ship -builders,  who  else  might  toil 

1  On  well-benched  ships  and  traffic  execute, 

1  Going  between  the  towns  of  men,  as  oft 

'  Men  to  each  other  cross  the  sea  in  ships. 

*  They  might  have  laboured  on  a  well-housed  isle ;  130 

*  For  'tis  not  barren,  and  it  might  produce 

'  All  crops  in  season,  for  there  meadows  are 

'  Along  the  margin  of  the  white -waved  sea, 

'  Watered  and  soft ;  nor  vines  would  perish  there. 

'  The  ploughing  might  be  smooth,  the  culture  deep,  * 

'  In  season  they  would  reap ;  the  soil  is  rich.  135       \ 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  143 

*  Secure  the  port,  nor  need  of  cable  there, 

*  Nor  to  cast  anchor,  nor  the  stern-ropes  fix ; 
1  Only  to  beach  the  ships  and  bide  the  time 

*  Till  the  crew  willed  it  and  the  breezes  blew  : 

*  At  the  port's  head  bright  water  flows,  a  spring  140 
'  Beneath  a  cave  j  and  poplars  grow  around. 

'  We  thither  sailed  and  some  God  led  the  way 

1  Through  the  dark  night,  nor  gave  us  power  to  see. 

*  The  air  was  thick  around  the  ships  ;  no  moon 

1  Shone  from  the  sky,  but  it  was  veiled  with  clouds.  145 

1  No  one  could  see  the  island  with  his  eyes  ; 

1  Nor  the  long  waves  that  rolled  upon  the  land 

1  We  saw,  before  our  well-benched  ships  were  beached. 

*  When  they  were  beached,  we  took  down  all  the  sails, 
'  And  disembarked  upon  the  shore  ourselves  ;  150 
'  And  slumbering  there  we  waited  for  the  dawn. 

1  But  when  the  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 
1  We  circled  through  the  isle  admiringly. 

*  Nymphs,  daughters  of  the  segis-bearing  Jove, 

'  Drove  the  wild  goats  whereon  my  friends  might  feast.155 

*  We  crooked  bows  and  light  long-shafted  spears 
'  Took  from  the  ships  j  and  in  three  companies 

1  Arranged  we  shot,  and  God  gave  pleasant  sport. 

*  Twelve  ships  had  followed  me  ;  to  each  nine  goats 

1  Wrere  lotted  ;  ten  they  chose  for  me  alone.  ICO 

*  All  day  we  feasted,  till  the  set  of  sun, 

*  On  flesh  abundant  and  delicious  wine ; 

*  For  not  as  yet  the  red  wine  failed  the  ships, 

1  But  was  therein,  for  much  we  each  had  drawn 
/'  In  casks,  when  sacking  the  Ciconian  town.  105 

)    '  We  looked  upon  the  neighboring  CycloWJand  ; 


144  THE   ODYSSEY.— BOOK   IX. 

*  The  smoke,  the  cry  of  them,  their  sheep  and  goats 
'  Perceived.     When  set  the  sun  and  darkness  came, 

*  We  slept  beside  the  breakers  of  the  sea. 

'  When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared,  570 

1 1  called  a  council  and  addressed  them  all : 

'  "  The  rest  of  you,  my  dear  companions  !  stay. 

1  "  I  with  my  ship  and  with  my  crew  will  go 

1  "  And  make  experiment  what  these  men  are  ; 

'  "  If  they  are  cruel,  savage,  and  unjust,  175 

I  "  Or  hospitable  and  of  mind  devout." 

I I  spake,  and  went  on  board,  and  bade  my  crew 
'  To  go  on  board  and  loose  the  mooring  ropes. 
'They  quick  embarked  and  on  the  benches  sate, 

'  And  beat  the  sea  in  order  with  their  oars.  180 

'  When  on  the  shore  we  nearly  had  arrived, 
'  A  lofty  cavern  near  the  sea  we  saw, 
1  Upon  a  cape,  with  laurels  overhung : 

*  Much  cattle,  sheep  and  goats,  were  sleeping  there. 

'  A  lofty  fold  was  built  with  earth-dug  stones,  185 

1  With  fir-trees  tall  and  oaks  with  lofty  boughs  j 

1  There,  sleeping,  lay  a  monstrous  man,  who  kept 

'  The  sheep,  a  long  way  off,  nor  converse  held 

1  With  others,  but  apart  planned  lawless  deeds. 

'  He  was  a  monstrous  prodigy,  not  like  190 

'  Bread -eating  man,  but  like  a  woody  crag 

'  Of  some  tall  hill,  apart  from  others  seen. 

1  My  other  dear  companions  then  I  bade 

'  There  by  the  ship  to  stay  and  draw  it  up. 

6  But  I  selected  from  them  twelve,  the  best,  195 

'  To  go.    I  had  a  skin  of  black  sweet  wine, 

'  Which  Maron,  of  Euanthes  son,  had  giv'n, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  145 

*  Priest  of  Apollo  who  guards  Ismarus  : 

*  For  I  had  sheltered  him,  with  wife  and  child, 

'  Respecting  him  ;  for  in  the  shady  grove  200 

*  To  Phoebus  sacred  he  had  his  abode  : 

1  And  many  splendid  gifts  he  gave  to  me ; 
1  Of  well-wrought  gold  he  seven  talents  gave  \ 
1  He  gave  a  bowl  all-silver ;  and  of  wine, 

*  Sweet  and  unmixed,  a  liquor  for  the  Gods, 

'  He  drew  twelve  casks.     Now  no  one  in  the  house     205 
'  Knew  of  this  wine,  no  slave  nor  servant  knew  ; 
c  He  only,  his  dear  wife,  one  housekeeper  j 
4  And  when  they  drayk  this  honey -sweet  red  wine, 
'  He  filled  one  bowl  and  twenty  measures  poured 

*  Of  water  in,  and  fragrant  was  its  scent  210 
'  Divine ;  to  cease  from  drinking  it  was  hard. 

'  Of  this  I  filled  and  bore  an  ample  skin, 

'  And  in  a  basket  food.     My  noble  mind 

1  Thought,  that  the  man,  with  mighty  strength  arrayed, 

'  Savage,  would  come,  not  knowing  rights  nor  laws.  215 

1  Quick  to  the  cave  we  came  nor  him  within 

*  We  found,  for  he  was  feeding  his  fat  sheep. 
1  All  in  the  cave  we  curiously  scanned ; 

*  Baskets  with  cheese  were  loaded ;  and  the  folds 

*  Of  lambs  and  kids  were  full,  all  separate  : 

1  Apart  the  older,  those  of  middle  age  220 

*  Apart,  the  yearlings  too  apart :  with  whey 

*  The  fashioned  vessels,  pails  and  buckets,  swam, 

1  Wherein  he  milked.     My  friends  besought  me  first 
1  To  take  the  cheese  and  go  ;  and  afterwards  225 

*  To  the  swift  ships  to  drive  from  off  the  folds 


*  The  kids  and  lambs,  and  o'er  the  salt  sea  sail. 


i. 


146  THE    ODYSSEY. —BOOK    IX. 

'  I  heeded  not,  though  'twould  have  better  been, 

*  That  I  might  see  him  and  some  gifts  receive  : 

'  When  seen  unwelcome  was  he  to  my  friends.  230 

1  A  fire  we  lighted  and  an  offering  made  ; 

'  Took  of  the  cheese  and  ate,  and  stayed  within 

'  Till  from  his  shepherding  he  came  :  he  bore 

1  A  burthen  of  dry  wood  to  cook  his  meal, 

'  And  threw  it  with  a  crash  outside  the  cave.  235 

1  Affrighted  to  an  inmost  nook  we  rushed  ; 

1  He  to  the  wide  cave  drove  his  fatted  sheep, 

'  As  many  as  he  milked,  and  left  the  males, 

'  The  rams  and  goats,  outside  the* cavern's  mouth. 

'  He  lifted  up  and  placed  a  mighty  door,  240 

'  Strong,  which  not  even  chariots  twenty-two, 

'  Good  and  four-wheeled,  could  raise  from  off  theground. 

1  Such  was  the  rock  he  placed  against  the  door. 

1  He  sate  and  milked  the  sheep  and  bleating  goats, 

'  All  in  their  course,  and  gave  to  each  its  kid.  245 

'  Half  the  white  milk  he  curdled  into  cheese, 

'  And,  having  pressed,  in  wicker  baskets  stored. 

'  Half  he  in  vessels  placed,  that  he  might  have 

'  To  drink  at  pleasure  and  to  aid  his  meal. 

1  But  when  these  works  he  hastily  had  done,  250 

'  A  fire  he  kindled,  saw  us  and  inquired ; 

'  "  Strangers  !  who  are  ye  1  whence  from  o'er  the  waves  ? 

1  ;<  Come  ye  for  traffic  ?  or  mere  rovers  ye  1 

'  M  Or  pirates,  wand'ring  o'er  the  sea,  who  risk 

'  "  Their  own  lives,  bringing  ill  to  foreigners  1 "         255 

1  So  spake  he,  and  our  heart  within  was  crushed, 
'  Fearing  his  voice,  and  him,  the  monstrous  man. 
'  Yet  with  these  words  I  answered  him  and  said  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    IX.  147 

*  "  We  Greeks  come  wand 'ring  away  from  Troy,       260 
'  "  With  various  winds  across  the  sea's  great  gulf, 

*  "  Bound  homeward  :  by  another  road  we  came 

*  "  And  other  ways  ;  so  Jove  was  pleased  to  plan. 

*  "  The  host  of  Agamemnon,  Atreus'  son, 

«  "  Of  greatest  earthly  fame,  we  boast  to  be ; 

1  "  Such  city  has  he  sacked,  slain  many  men ;  265 

*  "  And  hither  we  are  come  to  touch  thy  knees, 

*  "  If  thou  wouldst  give  us  hospitality, 

1  "  Or  other  gift,  as  is  the  stranger's  due. 

1  "  Most  noble  man  !  respect  the  Gods ;  for  we 

1  "  Are  suppliants,  and  Jove,  the  stranger's  God,      270 

'  "  Protects  the  stranger  and  the  suppliant, 

1 "  And  guards  the  strangers  who  deserve  respect." 

1 1  spake  j  he  answered  with  relentless  mind  : 
1  "  Stranger  !  thou  art  a  fool,  or  com'st  from  far, 
1  u  Who  bid'st  me  either  fear  or  shun  the  Gods. 

*  "  The  Cyclops'  heed  not  segis-bearing  Jove,  275 
1  "  Nor  blessed  Gods ;  for  we  much  stronger  are. 

1  "  I  would  not,  to  avoid  Jove's  enmity, 

'  "  Spare  or  thy  friends  or  thee,  unless  I  willed. 

'  "  But  tell  me  where  thou  hast  put  in  thy  ship, 

'  "  Or  off  the  cape  or  near,  that  I  may  know."    •>     28jgtJ^>'* 

*  He  spake  to  snare  me,  but  did  not  deceive  ^l)     U$->fi~ 
i  Me,  well  aware,  who  craftily  replied : 

' "  Neptune,  the  shaker  of  the  earth  has  wrecked, 
'  "  And  on  a  rocky  promontory  dashed 

*  "  My  ship,  upon  the  borders  of  your  land, 

'  "  Where  the  wind  drove  it,  blowing  from  the  sea;  285 

*  "  And  I  with  these  have  dreadful  death  escaped." 

*  He  with  relentless  mind  made  no  reply, 


148  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   IX. 

*  But  rushing  onward  seized  upon  my  friends, 

*  And  grasping  two  he  dashed  them  to  the  ground, 

*  Like  puppies,  and  their  brains  bedewed  the  earth.200 

*  Tearing  them  limb-meal*  he  prepared  a  feast, 
J  And,  like  a  lion  on  the  mountains  bred, 

'  Devoured  them,  nor  a  fragment  left  behind 

'  Of  entrails,  flesh,  or  marrow-moistened  bones. 

'  We,  weeping,  lifted  up  our  hands  to  Jove, 

'  When  such  abominable  deeds  we  saw, 

1  And  helpless  terror  seized  upon  our  minds.  295 

1  Soon  as  his  mighty  maw  the  Cyclops  filled, 

'  Eaten  man's-flesh  and  washed  it  down  with  milk, 

'  He  lay  within  the  cave,  among  the  sheep. 

'  With  thought  magnanimous  I  purposed  then 

'  To  draw  my  sharp  sword  from  beside  my  thigh,     300 

1  And  going  near  to  wound  him  on  the  breast, 

1  Where  the  integuments  surround  the  heart, 

'  With  my  hand  feeling ;  but  another  thought 

*  Detained  me ;  for  we  should  have  perished  there, 

'  Since  with  our  hands  we  never  could  have  moved  305 
1  The  mighty  stone  he  placed  before  the  door. 

*  So  groaning  there  we  waited  for  the  dawn. 
1  When  early  rosy -fingered  morn  appeared, 

'  A  fire  he  kindled,  milked  the  bleating  sheep, 

1  All  in  due  course  and  put  its  lamb  to  each. 

'  But  when  these  works  he  hastily  had  done  310 

4  He  seized  on  two  men  and  his  meal  prepared. 

*  He  fed,  and  drove  the  fat  sheep  from  the  cave : 
1  The  mighty  door-stone  he  with  ease  removed, 

*  "  O  that  I  had  her  here  to  tear  her  limb-meal !  " 

Shakespeare,  "  Cyrnbeline,"  act  ii,  sc.  4. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  149 

'  And,  as  it  were  a  quiver's  lid,  replaced. 
'  With  many  a  whistle  Cyclops  to  the  hill  315 

1  Turned  his  fat  sheep  :  with  sad  thoughts  I  was  left 
1  Of  vengeance,  should  Minerva  grant  my  prayer : 

*  And  to  my  mind  this  plan  appeared  the  best. 
'  The  Cyclops'  great  club  lay  beside  the  fold, 

1  Made  of  green  olive-wood,  which  he  had  cut  320 

*  To  bear  it  when  'twas  dry.     We  thought  it  like 

*  In  size,  as  we  beheld  it,  to  the  mast 

*  Of  a  black  ship,  impelled  by  twenty  oars, 

*  Of  burthen,  made  to  cross  the  mighty  gulf; 

*  In  length  and  girth  such  was  it  to  behold. 

1  I  stood  and  hewed  about  a  cubit  off,  325 

'  Gave  it  my  friends  and  bade  them  plane  it  well : 

'  They  made  it  smooth,  and  I  made  sharp  the  end, 

'  And  standing  charred  it  in  the  blazing  fire. 

'  And  then  I  took  and  hid  it  in  the  dung 

1  Which  in  abundance  lay  within  the  cave.  330 

*  I  bade  the  others  to  decide  by  lot 

1  Who  should  courageously  take  up  the  stake, 

1  With  me,  and  bore  his  eye  out  while  he  slept. 

'  Four  drew  the  lots,  the  very  men  whom  I 

1  Would  have  selected  ;  I  was  numbered  fifth.  335 

'  Feeding  his  fair-fleeced  sheep  he  came  at  eve, 

1  And  drove  the  sheep  within  the  cavern  wide, 

*  All,  nor  left  one  without  the  spacious  fold, 
'  Suspecting  harm,  or  God  had  so  ordained. 

*  The  mighty  door-stone  then  he  raised  and  fixed.    340 
1  He  sate  and  milked  the  sheep  and  bleating  goats 

*  All  in  due  course,  and  gave  to  each  its  kid. 
1  But  when  these  works  he  hastily  had  done, 


■p. 


150  THE    ODYSSEY.  —  BOOK   IX. 

'  Then  grasping  two  his  supper  he  prepared. 
I  Then  standing  near  the  Cyclops  thus  I  spake  :       345 
'  "  Cyclops  !  since  thou  man's-flesh  hast  eaten,  drink 
■  "  This  wine,  that  thou  mayst  know  what  drink  our  ship 
1  "  Concealed  :  to  thee  I  this  libation  bring, 
'  H  If  thou  wouldst  pity  me,  and  send  me  home. 
\^  But  now  thou  art  intolerably  mad  ;  350 

1  "  Unwise  !  for  how  can  one  of  all  men  come 
'  "  Hereafter,  since  thou  actest  lawlessly  1 " 

'  I  spake :  he  took  and  drank  it  off,  and,  much 
1  With  the  sweet  drink  delighted,  asked  for  more. 
1  "  Come,  give  me  plenty;  tell  me  what's  thy  name,  355 
'  "  That  I  forthwith  upon  thee  may  bestow 
'  "  A  guest-gift,  one  in  which  thou  mayst  rejoice. 
'  "  For  though  the  rich  ground  to  the  Cyclops'  bears 
'  "  Wine  from  abundant  grapes,  and  Jove  with  rain 
'  "  Increases  them,  yet  of  ambrosia 
'  "  And  nectar  this  wine  is  a  specimen."  360 

'  He  spake  and  I  the  bright  wTine  gave  again, 
1  Thrice  bringing ;  thrice  he  madly  drank  it  off. 
'  But  when  the  wine  came  o'er  the  Cyclops'  mind, 
1  Then  I  addressed  him  with  these  honeyed  words : 
1  "  Cyclops  !  thou  askest  me  my  noble  name. 
'  u  I'll  tell  thee  ;  give  the  guest-gift  as  thou  said'st.  3C5 
'  "  My  name  is  Noman,  and  me  Noman  call 
'  "  My  mother,  father,  and  all  other  friends." 

'  I  spake  ;  he  answered  with  relentless  mind  : 
*  "  Noman  I'll  eat  the  last  of  all  his  friends, 
1  "  The  others  first :  this  shall  thy  guerdon  be."       370 

*  He  spake,  and  sinking  down  he  prostrate  fell. 
'  There,  bending  back  his  brawny  neck,  he  lay, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  151 

*  And  all-subduing  sleep  upon  him  seized. 

*  Wine  from  his  throat,  and  morsels  of  man's-flesh, 
1  Issued ;  and,  drunk  with  wine,  he  vomited. 

'  Under  much  ashes  then  I  thrust  the  stake,  375 

*  Till  it  grew  hot,  and  then  I  cheered  my  friends, 

*  Lest  any  in  alarm  should  steal  away. 

*  Then  when  the  olive-stake,  though  green  it  was, 
1  Was  ready  to  blaze  up  and  made  quite  hot, 

*  I  brought  it  near  him  from  the  fire ;  my  friends    380 
1  Stood  by,  and  God  inspired  us  all  with  strength. 

'  The  olive-stake  with  sharpened  point  they  tool^  jk  ^y 
1  Andjjxedjtjniiis  eye_L-I,  reared  above,  \  -^    Olv 

'  Twisted  it  round,  as  when  a  ship-wright  bores  ^ 

'  A  ship-plank  with  an  auger,  and  beneath  385 

*  Men  on  a  thong  lay  hold  and  force  it  round 
1  On  either  side,  and  steadily  it  turns  : 

'  So  in  his  eye  the  fi'ry  stake  we  whirled, 

1  And,  hot  as  'twas,  the  blood  around  it  flowed, 

*  While  the  steam  scorched  his  eye-lid  and  his  brow, 

*  From  his  singed  eye-ball,  and  its  roots  were  cracked.  300 

*  As  when  a  blacksmith  dips  a  mighty  axe, 
1  Or  hatchet,  in  cold  water  hissing  loud, 

1  And  tempers ;  this  of  iron  is  the  strength  ; 

*  So  hissed  his  eye  around  the  olive-stake  : 

*  The  rock  re-echoed  as  he  roared  aloud.  395 

*  We  rushed  away  in  terror ;  but  the  stake 

'  He  from  his  eye  with  blood  besprent  withdrew, 
'  And  madly  dashed  it  from  him  with  his  hand ; 

*  And  to  the  Cyclops'  loudly  called,  who  dwelt 

*  Around  in  caves  upon  the  windy  crags :  400 
'  They,  when  they  heard  the  cry,  from  all  sides  came, 


152  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX. 

1  And  standing  by  the  cave  asked  what  he  ailed  : 
lv^vV^*'  Why,  Polyphemus!  dost  thou  cursing  cry, 
«SLkt&'u  In  the  deep  night,  and  rouse  us  from  our  sleep  1 
i         '  "  Does  some  one  drive  thy  sheep  against  thy  will,  405 
'  "  Or  kill  thee  or  by  craft  or  violence  1 " 

•  Strong  Polyphemus  answered  from  the  cave  : 
'  "  Noman,  my  friends  !  is  killing  me  by  craft 
'  "  And  violence."     Then  quickly  they  replied  ; 
'  "  Though  no  man  offers  violence  to  thee 
'  "  So  strong,  thou  canst  not  Jove's  disease  escape  ; 
'  "  But  to  thy  sire,  king  Neptune,  make  thy  pray'r. 
1  They  went  away :  my  heart  within  me  laughed, 
?  When  thus  my  name  and  good  device  deceived. 
'  The  Cyclops,  groaning,  agonized  with  pain,  415 

'  Felt  with  his  hands,  and  from  the  doorway  moved 
'  The  stone,  and  sate  there  stretching  out  his  hands, 

*  Striving  to  catch  one  going  through  the  door ; 
1  And  thought  that  I  should  act  so  foolishly. 

*  But  I  deliberated  what  was  best, 

'  How  for  my  friends  and  also  for  myself  420 

'  I  might  discover  some  escape  from  death, 

*  Revolving  ev'ry  stratagem  and  plan, 

*  As  for  dear  life,  for  dreadful  ill  was  near  : 

*  And  to  my  mind  this  counsel  seemed  the  best : 

*  There  stood  the  well-fed  rams,  with  thick-set  wool,425 
'  Fine,  large,  and  covered  with  a  dusky  fleece  : 

'  These  I  tied  silently  with  willow -twigs 

1  On  which  the  Cyclops,  lawless  monster,  slept ; 

1  Uniting  three  ;  the  mid  one  bore  a  man  ; 

1  The  two  outside  went  covering  my  friends.  430 

1  Each  man  the  three  sheep  bore  ;  but  I  a  ram, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX.  1  53 

'  For  one  there  was  the  finest  of  the  flock, 
'  Seized  and  beneath  his  fleecy  belly  lay  ; 

*  Then  turning  round  I  grasped  th'  abundant  wool, 

'  And  with  a  daring  mind  I  held  it  firm  ;  435 

1  And  groaning  thus  we  waited  for  the  dawn. 
1  When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared 

*  Forth  to  the  pasture  issued  all  the  rams  ; 

*  The  ewes  unmilked  were  bleating  round  the  pens, 

'  With  swelling  teats ;  their  master,  racked  with  pain,440 
'  Handled  the  sheep's  backs  as  they  upright  stood, 
'  But  foolish  did  not  notice  how  the  men 
'  To  the  sheep's  woolly  bellies  were  attached. 
1  Last  of  the  flock  the  ram  went  through  the  door, 
1  Weighed  down  by  wool  and  me,  with  prudent  thoughts. 
1  Strong  Polyphemus  handled  it  and  said  :  445 

'  "  Good  ram !  why  through  the  cave  com' st  thou  the  last? 
' "  Aforetime  by  the  sheep  thou  wert  not  left, 

*  "  But  wentest  first  to  crop  the  flow'ry  grass 

' "  With  hasty  step,  and  to  the  river's  stream  450 

t  a  Wert  first  to  go,  and  first  at  even-tide 

'  "  To  thy  fold  eagerly  return'dst ;  but  now 

1 "  The  last.     Dost  thou  regret  thy  master's  eye, 

'  "  Which  that  bad  man  with  his  accursed  friends 

* "  Has  blinded,  and  subdued  my  mind  with  wine, 

*  "  Noman,  who  shall  not  death,  I  ween,  escape  1     455 
* "  Couldst  thou  have  sympathy  with  me  or  speech, 

'  "  Thou'dst  tell  me  where  that  man  my  wrath  evades  : 
1  "  In  all  directions  through  the  cave  his  brain 
' "  Should  on  the  ground  be  spattered,  and  my  heart 
1 "  Rest  from  the  pangs  that  worthless  Noman  caused." 
'  Thus  he  the  ram  dismissed  from  out  the  door.    460 


154  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX. 

'  A  little  way  beyond  the  cave  I  first 

1  From  the  ram  freed  myself,  then  loosed  my  friends. 

1  Quickly  we  drove  the  swift  sheep,  weighed  with  fat, 

I  In  devious  course,  till  to  the  ship  we  came  ;  465 
'  And  to  our  dear  friends  welcome  wTe  appeared, 

*  We  who  escaped  ;  the  others  they  bemoaned. 

I I  checked  their  wails,  and  with  my  eye-brows  made 

*  A  sign  ;  then  bade  them  quickly  put  on  board 

*  The  fair  fleeced  sheep,  and  o'er  the  salt  sea  sail.    470 

*  Swift  they  embarked,  and  on  the  benches  sate, 

*  And  beat  the  sea  in  order  with  their  oars. 

'  When  I  was  distant  far  as  one  could  shout, 
'  The  Cyclops  I  addressed  with  cutting  words : 

*  "  Cyclops  !  thou  wert  not  destined  to  devour  475 
1 "  The  comrades  of  a  man  bereft  of  strength, 

1 "  Within  thy  hollow  cave  by  violence. 

c(^Thy  evil  deeds  were  doomed  to  find  thee  out) 

<  "  Wretch  !  daring  in  thine  house  thy  guests  to  eat ;      J^ 

*  '(So  vengeance  comes  from  Jove  and  all  the  Gods,'^^  \\  | 

' 1  spake,  but  in  his  heart  he  raged  the  more,       480 

*  And  tearing  up  a  mighty  mountain's  crag 

1  Hurled  it ;  before  the  dark-prowed  ship  it  fell, 

1  [And  little  failed  to  strike  the  rudder's  point]. 

'  The  sea  was  troubled  by  the  falling  rock  ; 

'  The  wave  back-flowing  land-ward  bore  the  ship, 

1  And  the  flood  surging  drove  it  on  the  shore  :  485 

I  But  seizing  with  my  hands  a  long  ship's-pole 

I I  forced  it  off  again,  and  bade  my  friends 

*  Lean  to  their  oars  that  we  might  death  escape, 

1  With  my  head  signalling  :  they  leaned  and  rowed.  490 
'  When  o'er  the  sea  we  twice  as  far  had  gone, 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    IX.  155 

1  Again  I  to  the  Cyclops  spoke  :  my  friends 

1  With  honeyed  words  addressed  me  on  all  sides  : 

1  "  Audacious  man  !  why  wilt  thou  irritate 

*  "  That  savage,  who  hast  cast  upon  the  sea  495 

*  "  His  weapon,  and  has  brought  the  ship  to  land  1 
1 "  We  thought  we  should  have  perished,  had  he  heard 
1  "  One  of  us  uttering  or  word  or  cry  : 
* "  Hewouldourheadsandtheship'splankshavecrushed, 

*  "  Hurling  a  rugged  rock ;  so  far  he  throws." 

*  They  spake,  but  did  not  my  brave  mind  persuade. 
1  Again  I  spoke  to  him  with  angry  mind  :  500 

1  "  Cyclops  !  if  any  one  of  mortal  men 

*  "  Asks  of  the  dreadful  blinding  of  thine  eye, 

*  "  Say  that  Ulysses,  Of  Laertes  son,, 

*  "  Who  dwells  in  Ithaca,  has  blinded  thee."  505 

1 1  spake  :  he  groaning  with  these  words  replied  : 
1  "  0  strange  !  old  oracles  have  come  to  pass  : 
1  "  There  was  a  prophet  here,  one  good  and  great, 

*  "  Named  Telemus,  of  Euremus  the  son, 
'  "  Who  in  the  art  of  soothsaying  excelled, 
'  "  And  to  old  age  among  the  Cyclops'  dwelt.  510 

*  "  He  told  me  this  would  happen,  and  that  I 

*  "  Should  by  Ulysses  be  deprived  of  sight. 
1  "  But  I  expected  some  man  great  and  fair 
1  "  To  come,  some  man  with  mighty  strength  endued : 

*  "  But  now  one  small,  of  no  account,  and  mean,      515 

*  "  My  eye  has  blinded,  conquering  by  wine. 

*  "  But  hither  come,  Ulysses  !  that  I  may 

*  "  Bestow  a  guest-gift  on  thee,  and  beseech  *      ^>* 
'  "  The  famous  Neptune  to  escort  thee  home,  ^ftp  ,J)ju/^^^ 

*  "  I  am  his  son,  he  boasts  to  be  my  sire  ;        G\  a    ft 


156  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    IX. 

'  "  He,  if  he  wills,  will  heal  me,  and  none  else  520 

4  "  Or  of  the  blessed  Gods  or  mortal  men. " 

'  He  spake  ;  and  I  addressed  him  in  reply  : 
'  "  I  wish  I  were  as  sure  to  send  thee  down, 
'  "  Of  breath  and  life  deprived,  to  Pluto's  house, 

*  "  As  that  not  Neptune's  self  will  heal  thine  eye."  525 

1 1  spake,  and  he  to  royal  Neptune  prayed  : 

*  "  Hear,  Neptune  !  earth  surrounding  !  azure -haired ! 
1  'J  If  I  am  thine,  and  if  thou  art  my  sire, 

'  '/Grant  that  Ulysses  may  not  homeward-go^  530 

'"  [Laertes'  son,  who  dwells  in  Ithaca]. 
"  But  if  'tis  fate  that  he  his  friends  should  see, 
And  to  his  well-built  house  and  country  go, 
May  he  go  late  and  w;retched?  having  lost 
All  his  companions,  in  a  stranger's  ship, 

1  "  And  may  he  find  calamities  at  home  !".  J  535 

'  He  spake  in  pray'r ;  the  dark-haired  Neptune  heard. 

1  Then  he  a  larger  rock  forthwith  upheaved, 

*  And,  whirling  it,  his  monstrous  sinews  strained  : 
'  He  threw  it  jusc  behind  the  dark-prowed  ship, 

1  And  little  failed  to  strike  the  rudder's  point.  540 

1  The  sea  was  troubled  by  the  rock  that  came, 

*  And  to  the  land  the  wave  bore  on  the  ship. 

'  When  to  the  isle  where  all  the  well-benched  ships 
1  Were  waiting  we  had  come,  my  friends  around 

*  Sate  sorrowing  and  long  expecting  us.  545 
'  Arrived  wTe  drew  the  ship  upon  the  sand, 

1  And  by  the  breakers'  side  we  disembarked. 

1  The  Cyclops'  sheep  we  took,  and  shared  them  so 

1  That  none  should  question  the  equality. 

*  To  me  especially  my  well-greaved  friends,  550 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   X.  157 

'  In  the  division  of  the  sheep,  assigned 

1 A  lamb  j  and  this  to  cloud-compelling  Jove, 

1  The  son  of  Saturn,  who  rules  over  all, 

*  Upon  the  shore  they  sacrificed,  and  burnt 

*  The  thighs ;  but  he  did  not  respect  the  rites, 

*  But  planned  how  all  the  well-benched  ships,  and  all 

*  My  dear  companions  with  them,  should  be  lost.     555 
1  All  day  we  feasted,  till  the  set  of  sun, 

*  On  flesh  abundant  and  delicious  wine. 

*  But  when  the  sun  went  down  and  darkness  came, 
'  Where  the  waves  broke  upon  the  shore  we  slept. 

1  When  early  rosy -fingered  morn  appeared,  560 

1  Then  my  companions  urgently  I  bade 

*  To  go  on  board,  and  loose  the  mooring  ropes. 

*  They  quick  embarked  and  on  the  benches  sate, 
'  And  beat  the  sea  in  order  with  their  oars. 

*  Thence  sailed  we  on,  rejoiced  from  death  to  flee,    565 
'  Yet  grieved  at  heart,  for  we  had  lost  our  friends.' 


BOOK     X. 


1  iEoLiA's  isle  we  reached,  where  iEolus 

*  The  son  of  Hippotas,  by  Gods  beloved, 

1  Dwelt  on  the  floating  isle  :  a  wall  of  brass 

1  Impregnable,  and  a  sheer  precipice 

'  Run  round  it ;  children  twelve  within  his  house 

*  Were  born,  six  daughters  and  six  stalwart  sons. 
1  He  gave  his  daughters  to  his  sons  to  wife ; 


158  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X. 

'  They,  with  their  father  dear  and  mother  chaste, 
1  Feast,  and  around  them  many  dainties  lie. 

*  The  house  all  day  is  redolent  of  feasts,  10 

*  And  in  the  hall  is  revelry.     At  night 

*  They  with  their  chaste  wives  sleep  on  tap'stried  beds. 
1  We  to  their  city  and  fair  houses  came  ; 

'  For  a  whole  month  he  entertained  me  there  ; 

*  On  ev'ry  thing  he  questioned  me  ;  on  Troy, 

1  The  Argive  ships,  and  on  the  Greeks'  return,  15 

'  And  duly  to  him  I  related  all. 

1  When  on  my  journey  I  required  to  go, 

1  And  asked  despatch,  he  no  refusal  made, 

1  But  gave  me  convoy  :  from  a  nine  year  ox 

1  He  flayed  the  skin,  and  gave  a  bag  wherein 

'  The  courses  of  the  blust'ring  winds  he  bound  ;         20 

*  For  Jove  had  made  him  steward  of  the  winds, 

*  Or  to  appease  or  rouse,  whiche'er  he  willed. 
1  He  bound  it  down  within  the  hollow  ship 

1  With  silver  cord,  that  not  a  breath  could  'scape  : 

1  But  zephyr's  breeze  he  first  sent  forth  to  blow,        25 

1  To  carry  ships  and  men ;  but  this  it  failed 

*  To  do,  for  by  our  folly  we  were  lost. 

'  Nine  days  we  sailed  along,  by  night  and  day, 
1  But  on  the  tenth  my  country's  land  appeared, 

*  And  near  at  hand  we  saw  men  kindling  fires.  30 
'  Upon  me  wearied  sweet  sleep  came,  for  I 

1  Held  fast,  nor  to  another  gave,  the  helm, 
1  That  we  the  quicker  to  our  home  might  go. 
1  Then  my  companions,  talking  each  to  each, 

*  Said  I  was  taking  gold  and  silver  home  35 

*  From  iEolus,  the  son  of  Hippotas ; 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X.  159 

■  And  looking  to  his  neighbour,  thus  one  spake  : 
i «  "pis  wonderful  how  he  is  deemed  a  friend, 

'  "  And  held  by  all  in  honour,  whereso'er 

* "  He  to  their  city  and  their  land  may  go. 

1 "  Much  treasure  he,  as  booty,  brings  from  Troy ;     40 

*  "  We,  who  have  made  a  voyage  long  as  he, 

1 "  Are  home  returning,  but  with  empty  hands. 
1 "  Now  ^Eolus  from  friendship  gives  him  these  : 
'  "  Come  !  let  us  quickly  see  what  they  may  be, 
'  "  What  gold  and  silver  are  within  the  bag."  45 

1  So  spake  they  :  and  their  evil  plan  prevailed  ; 
'  They  loosed  the  bag,  and  out  rushed  all  the  winds  ; 
1  Then  a  storm  seized,  and  bore  them  off  to  sea, 
1  Weeping,  away  from  their  paternal  land. 
1 1,  waking,  meditated  in  my  mind  50 

1  Whether  to  rush  and  perish  in  the  sea, 

*  Or  silently  endure  'mid  living  men : 

'  But  I  endured  and  stayed  ;  and  in  a  ship 

■  With  covered  face  I  lay  :  the  ships  were  borne 

1  Back  to  iEolia's  island  by  the  storm  55 

1  Of  adverse  wind,  while  my  companions  groaned  : 

*  Then  on  the  land  we  went  and  water  drew, 
1  And  my  companions  feasted  by  the  ships. 

*  When  we  were  satisfied  with  food  and  drink, 

*  Attended  by  a  herald  and  a  friend 

1  To  th'  house  of  ^Eolus  I  went,  and  found  60 

*  Him  with  his  wife  and  children  at  a  feast. 

*  Ent'ring  the  house  we  by  the  portals  sate  : 

1  They  were  astonished  in  their  mind,  and  asked 

*  "  How  comest  thou,  Ulysses  !  what  ill  fate 

*  "  Afflicts  thee  ?  carefully  we  sent  thee  on  65 


160  THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    X. 

1  "  To  home,  and  house,  and  to  what  else  is  dear." 
'  They  spake ;  but  I  with  grieving  heart  replied  : 

*  "  Bad  friends  have  ruined  me,  unlucky  sleep 

'  "  Besides  ;  but  cure  it,  for,  my  friends  !  ye  can." 

*  Thus  with  insinuating  words  I  spoke  :  70 
1  They  silence  kept ;  the  father  answered  me  : 

*  "  Quick  from  the  isle,  thou  worst  of  souls  alive  ! 
'  "  Begone  :  it  is  not  right  that  I  should  send 

'  "  Or  convoy  one  detested  by  the  Gods, 

1  "  By  the  immortals  hated :  go  !  avaunt  \p-  75 

*  So  from  bis  house  he  drove  me  groaning  much ; 
1  Thence  with  afflicted  heart  we  onward  sailed. 

1  With  the  hard  labour  of  the  oar  the  crew 

'  Were  harassed  in  our  vain  attempt,  for  now 

1  No  longer  prospect  of  return  appeared. 

1  Six  days  we  sailed  along  by  night  and  day,  SO 

*  And  on  the  seventh  to  the  lofty  town 
'  Of  Lam os  came,  to  Leestrygonia, 

*  Having  wide  gates,  where  shepherd  shepherd  calls. 
1  A  sleepless  man  there  double  wages  earns, 

'  Part  as  a  herdsman,  part  as  tending  sheep ;  85 

6  For  of  the  day  and  night  the  paths  approach. 
'  Then  to  the  port  we  came ;  an  earth-fast  range 
'  Of  rock  was  fixed  on  either  side ;  the  crags, 
1  Fronting  each  other,  at  the  harbour's  mouth 

*  Projected,  and  th'  approach  was  difficult.  90 

*  Therein  they  all  drew  up  their  well-oared  ships : 
4  They  near  each  other  in  the  hollow  port 

1  Were  moored,  for  never  swelling  wave  was  there, 

'  Or  great  or  small,  and  all  was  calm  around. 

1  But  I  alone  my  black  ship  kept  outside  95 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X.  161 

'  The  point,  and  bound  the  cables  to  the  rock, 
1  And  climbing  stood  upon  the  rocky  peak. 
'  No  works  of  oxen  or  of  men  appeared  ; 
'  We  only  saw  smoke  rising  from  the  ground. 

*  Then  I  my  friends  sent  forward,  to  inquire  100 

*  Who  the  men  were  that  lived  upon  the  ground, 

*  Selecting  two,  and  gave  a  herald  third. 

1  They,  disembarking  on  a  flat  road,  went 

*  Where  from  the  hills  the  cars  brought  wood  to  town. 

*  Outside  they  met  a  girl  who  water  drew,  105 
'  Of  Ltestrygonian  Antiphatus 

'  Fair  daughter ;  to  the  gently-flowing  spring, 

'  Astracja,  she  was  going,  for  from  thence 

'  They  used  to  bear  the  water  to  the  town. 

1  Standing  beside  they  spoke  to  her,  and  asked 

'  Who  was  their  king;  who  those  o'erwhom  hereigned.H0 

'  She  pointed  out  her  father's  high-roofed  house. 

*  Ent'ring  the  house  they  there  a  woman  found, 
'  Big  as  a  mountain-top,  and  hated  her. 

'  She  from  the  forum  called  Antiphatus, 

'  Her  husband,  and  he  planned  their  dreadful  death.  115 

'  He  quickly  seized  one  and  prepared  a  feast ; 

*  The  other  two  came  running  to  the  ships. 

'  He  through  the  city  raised  a  cry  ;  in  crowds  ^^ 

*  Came  forth  the  mighty  La^rjgojiiaiis--  <2\^/Ci~r 

'  From  ev'ry  side,  like  giants  not  like  men.  120 

1  With  stones,  a  man's  load  each,  they  pelted  us 

*  From  off  the  rocks,  and  loud  the  dreadful  clang 

*  Of  shattered  ships  and  men  destroyed  arose  ; 

*  Who  made,  like  quiv'ring  fish,  a  horrid  feast. 

'  While  they  were  killing  those  within  the  port,        125 

M 


162  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X. 

1 1  drew  my  sharp  sword  from  beside  my  thigh, 
'  And  cut  the  cables  of  the  dark -pro  wed  ship  j 

*  And,  urging  my  companions,  bade  them  quick 
1  Lean  to  their  oars  that  we  might  fate  escape, 

'  And  all,  afraid  of  death,  up-turned  the  sea. 

1  My  ship  fled  gladly  from  the  beetling  rocks ;  130 

'  The  others  in  a  body  perished  there. 

*  Thence  sailed  we  on,  rejoiced  to  flee  from  death, 

'  Though  grieved  in  heart  for  we  had  lost  our  friends, 

'  And  reached  ffisea's  isle,  where  Circe  dwelt  ;^        135 

'  A  dreadful  Goddess  with  a  human  voice, 

1  Own  sister  of  ^Esetes,  baleful  one, 

1  Born  of  the  Sun,  who  light  to  mortals  gives, 

1  And  Perse,  whom  Oceanus  begat. 

*  There  with  our  ship  we  landed  on  the  shore,  140 
'  With  silence,  in  the  port  while  some  God  led. 

'  There  landing  two  days  and  two  nights  we  lay, 
'  Wasting  our  minds  with  sorrow  and  fatigue. 

*  But  when  fair-haired  Aurora  brought  the  third, 

'  I  took  my  spear  and  sword,  and  from  the  ship        145 

'  I  climbed  with  speed  a  view -commanding  rock, 

'  To  look  for  men's  works  or  to  hear  their  voice. 

4  When  I  had  climbed  the  rocky  height  I  paused  : 

'  The  smoke  appeared,  from  off  the  wide-wayed  ground, 

'  Of  Circe's  house  amid  thick  oaks  and  groves.  150 

'  I  meditated  in  my  heart  and  mind 

'  To  go  and  ask,  when  I  the  dark  smoke  saw. 

'  And,  while  I  thought,  this  seemed  the  better  plan ; 

c  First  to  the  swift  ship  and  sea-shore  to  go, 

1  Give  my  friends  food,  and  send  them  out  to  ask.    155 

1  But  when  I  came  near  to  the  well-oared  ship, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X.  163 

*  Some  God  had  pity  on  me  thus  alone, 

*  Who  sent  that  way  a  mighty  antlered  stag. 
1  He  from  a  shady  pasture  to  a  stream 

1  Went  down  to  drink,  for  the  sun's  force  oppressed.  160 
1  As  he  came  out  I  struck  him  on  the  back, 

*  Upon  the  spine  ;  the  brazen  spear  pierced  through; 
'  Blaring  he  fell,  and  his  life  ebbed  away. 

1  On  him  I  stood  and  drew  the  brazen  spear 

1  From  out  the  wound,  and  laid  it  on  the  ground.     165 

1  Then  willow-rods  I  plucked  and  pliant  twigs, 

'  And  twined  a  rope,  about  a  fathom  long, 

'  Wherewith  I  bound  the  mighty  monster's  feet, 

'  From  my  head  hung,  and  bore  it  to  the  ships, 

*  Leaning  upon  my  spear,  nor  with  one  hand  170 

*  Could  bear  the  weight ;  so  monstrous  was  the  beast. 
1  I  threw  it  down  before  the  ship,  and  roused 

*  My  friends,  addressing  each  with  honeyed  words  : 

'  "  My  friends  !  though  grieved  we  shall  not  yet  go  down 
'  "  To  Pluto's  house  before  the  fated  time ;  175 

'  "  But  come  !  while  food  and  drink  are  in  the  ship 
1 "  Feast  we,  and  not  with  hunger  waste  away." 

1 1  spake ;  my  orders  quickly  they  obeyed, 
'  And  with  veiled  face,  beside  the  barren  sea, 

*  Admired  the  stag,  for  'twas  a  monstrous  beast.       180 
1  When  they  were  gratified  with  what  they  saw, 

*  They  washed  their  hands  and  a  grand  feast  prepared. 

*  All  day  we  feasted,  till  the  set  of  sun, 
'  On  flesh  abundant  and  delicious  wine. 

'  But,  when  the  sun  went  down  and  darkness  came,  135 
'  Where  the  waves  broke  upon  the  shore  we  slept. 
1  Whan  early  rosy-fingered  dawn  appeared, 


164  THE    ODYSSEY.— BOOK    X. 

1 1  called  a  council,  and  addressed  them  all : 

'  "  Companions  !  though  afflicted  hear  my  words  : 

*  "  0  friends  !  we  know  not  where  is  west  or  east,    190 
'  "Nor  where  the  men-enlight'ning  sun  goes  down, 

*  "  Nor  where  he  rises.     But  let  us  consult, 

*  "  If,  though  I  think  not,  room  for  counsel  is. 

'  "  For,  when  I  climbed  a  view-commanding  rock, 

1  "  I  saw  an  isle  which  boundless  sea  surrounds.       193 

6 "  Level  it  lies,  and  with  these  eyes  I  saw 

*  "  The  smoke  arising  'mid  thick  oaks  and  groves." 

*  I  spake  :  their  heart  was  crushed,  remembering 
'  The  Lsestrygonian  Antiphatus, 

'  And  the  fierce  man-devouring  Cyclops'  strength.    200 
'  They  wept  aloud  and  shed  abundant  tears, 
'  But  ceased  for  'twas  of  no  avail  to  weep. 

*  Then  all  my  well-greaved  friends  I  counted  out 

*  In  two  divisions,  gave  a  chief  to  each  ; 

1  O'er  these  I  ruled,  o'er  those  Eurylochus.  205 

*  Lots  in  a  brazen  helmet  quick  we  shook ; 

*  That  of  Eurylochus  sprang  out  the  first  : 

*  He  hastened  on,  and  with  him  twenty-two 
'  Went  weeping,  and  left  us  in  tears  behind. 

'  The  well-wrought  house  of  Circe  in  the  woods         210 

'  They  found,  of  polished  stones,  conspicuous. 

'  Wolves  and  fierce  lions  w7ere  around,  which  she, 

'  By  giving  magic  potions,  had  bewitched. 

6  They  did  not  rush  out  to  attack  mankind, 

'  But,  wTith  their  long  tails  waving,  stood  and  fawned  :215 

'  As  when  their  master  coming  from  a  feast 

1  His.  dogs  caress,  for  honeyed  scraps  he  brings ; 

'  So  on  them  strong-clawed  wolves  and  lions  fawned, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X.  165 

1  And  they  with  fear  beheld  the  dreadful  beasts. 

'  In  Circe's,  fair-haired  Goddess',  porch  they  stood,  220 

1  And  heard  her  singing  with  a  lovely  voice, 

*  The  while  she  wove  a  large  ambrosial  web  ; 

*  Such  are  the  Goddesses'  fine  graceful  works. 

*  One  who  was  chief  among  them  thus  began, 

1  Polites,  nearest,  dearest  of  my  friends  :  225 

1  "  Some  one  within  the  house,  my  friends  !  a  web 

*  "  Is  weaving,  singing  with  a  lovely  voice, 

*  "  And  all  the  floor  re-echoes  ;  if  it  be 

'  "  Goddess  or  woman,  let  us  to  her  call." 

*  So  spake  he  to  them,  and  they  loudly  called. 
1  She  quickly  came,  threw  wide  the  shining  doors,    230 

*  And  called  them  :  foolishly  they  followed  her ; 
1  Eurylochus  remained,  suspecting  fraud. 

'  She  led  and  placed  them  upon  seats  and  thrones  ; 
'  She  mingled  cheese  and  meal  and  honey  fresh 

*  In  Pramnian  wine,  and  in  the  food  infused  235 

*  Pernicious  drugs,  that  they  might  home  forget. 

'  When  she  had  giv'n  and  they  had  drunk,  she  struck        \^ 
1  Them  with  a  rod  and  shut  them  in  a  stye.         O  \y*^^     * 

*  They  had  the  heads,  the  voice,  and  hair  and  form      \J^      V 

*  Of  swine,  but  as  before  their  mind  remained.  240     L^^ 
'  Thus,  weeping,  they  were  penned,  and  Circe  threw 

'  Acorns,  and  beech-mast,  and  the  cornel  fruit 
'  To  each ;  such  food  as  grov'ling  swine  consume. 

*  Quick  to  the  black  ship  came  Eurylochus 

1  To  bring  the  news,  and  tell  their  dreadful  fate  ;     245 
'  But  not  one  wrord,  though  eager,  could  he  speak, 

*  Heart-struck  with  mighty  grief;  his  eyes  with  tears 
'  Were  filled,  and  but  to  groans  his  thought  inclined. 


166  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X. 

1  Then  of  his  other  friends  he  told  the  fate  :  250 

'  "  Illustrious  Ulysses  !  as  thou  bad'st 

6  "  We  through  the  oak-groves  went,  and  in  the  woods 

1  "  A  fair  house  found  we,  made  with  polished  stones, 

1  "  In  a  place  seen  from  far ;  and  there  was  one 

'  "  Weaving  a  web,  the  while  she  sweetly  sang, 

'  "  Goddess  or  woman  ;  and  they  loudly  called.         255 

i  "  She  quickly  came,  threwr  wide  the  shining  doors 

*  "  And  called  them  ;  foolishly  they  followed  her  ; 

*  "  But  I  alone  remained,  suspecting  fraud. 
'  "  They  in  a  body  disappeared ;  not  one 

1  "  Was  to  be  seen  \  I  sate  and  long  looked  out."      260 

•  He  spake  :  my  silver-hilted  sword  I  placed, 
1  Great,  brazen,  o'er  my  shoulders,  and  my  bow ; 
1  And  bade  him  lead  me  quickly  on  the  road. 
•'  But  with  his  hands  he  seized  my  knees  and  prayed  : 

*  [And  groaning  spake  to  me  these  winged  words]    265 
'  "  Take  me  not  thither,  noble  prince  !  against 

*  "  My  will,  but  leave  me  here ;  for  well  I  know 

'  "  Thou'lt  not  return  thyself,  nor  wTilt  bring  back 
'  "  One  of  thy  friends  !  but  let  us  quickly  flee, 
1  "  With  the  men  here,  for  we  may  still  escape." 

'  So  spake  he  :  I  addressed  him  in  reply  :  270 

'  "  Eurylochus  !  stay  here  in  this  same  place, 
1  "  Eating  and  drinking  by  the  hollow  ship ; 
1  "  But  I  will  go,  for  great  the  need  I  should." 

1  Thus  speaking,  from  the  ship  and  sea  I  went, 
'  And,  passing  through  the  thickets,  nearly  reached2/5 
1  The  house  of  Circe,  skilled  in  many  drugs. 
'  There  met  me  Hermes,  of  the  golden  rod, 
'  As  I  approached  it,  seeming  like  a  youth 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X.  167 

I  With  his  first  beard,  a  very  graceful  age. 

4  He  grasped  my  hand,  and  then  addressed  me  thus  : 

'  "  Whither,  unhappy  man  !  across  the  heights,        280 

*  "  A  stranger  to  the  country,  goest  thou  1 

1  "  Thy  friends  are  here,  shut  up  in  Circe's  house 
'  "  Like  swine,  confined  in  thickly  crowded  pens. 
1  "  Art  come  to  rescue  them  ?  I  do  not  think 
1  "  Thou  wouldst  return,  but  stay  here  like  the  rest.  285 
'  "  But  I  will  free  and  save  thee  from  these  woes : 

*  "  Here,  take  this  p^tentjlrug,  and  with  it  go 
1  "  To  Circe's  house  ;  its  force  will  fate  repel. 

'  "  I'll  tell  thee  what  are  her  pernicious  deeds  : 

1  "  She'll  make  a  mixture  ;  in  thy  food  put  drugs,    290 

'  "  But  not  bewitch  thee,  for  the  drug  I  give 

*  "  Will  hinder  this.     Now  I  will  all  recite  : 

'  "  When  with  her  long  rod  Circe  strikes  thee,  draw 
'  "  The  sharp  sword  from  thy  thigh,  and  onward  rush 
'  "  As  if  to  slay  her  ;  she,  alarmed,  will  try  295 

'  "  With  love  to  soothe  thee  :  do  not  thou  consent,     - 
'  "  Till  she  has  loosed  thy  friends  and  cared  for  thee. 

*  "  Bid  her  the  great  oath  of  the  Gods  to  swear, 

'  "  That  she  will  plan  no  other  harm  for  thee,  300 

*  "  Nor  will  unman  thee,  of  thine  armour  stripped." 

*  Thus  Argeiphontes  spake,  and  gave  the  drug 
1  Drawn  from  the  earth,  and  showed  its  properties. 
6  Its  root  was  black,  its  flower  resembled  milk : 
'  Gods  call  it  Moly  ;  difficult  for  men  305 

*  To  dig  it ;  but  the  Gods  can  all  things  do. 
'  Then  to  the  high  Olympus  Hermes  went 

'  Across  the  isle,  but  I  to  Circe's  house ; 

1  And  much  my  heart  was  troubled  as  I  went. 


168  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X. 

'  Near  to  the  fair-haired  Goddess'  gates  I  stood        310 
'  And  shouted  loud  ;  the  Goddess  heard  my  voice, 
1  And,  coming  forth,  threw  wide  the  shining  gates, 
'  And  called  me :  I  afflicted  followed  her. 

*  She  on  a  well-wrought  silver-studded  throne 

*  Placed  me  ;  a  footstool  was  beneath  my  feet ;  315 
1  And  in  a  golden  cup  mixed  what  I  might  drink, 

1  And  put  with  crafty  thought  a  drug  therein. 

1  She  gave ;  1  drank;  nor  did  she  me  bewitch, 

1  When,  striking  with  a  rod,  she  me  addressed : 

'  "  Go  to  the  stye  ;  lie  with  thine  other  friends  :"     320 

1  She  spake  :  my  sharp  sword  drawing  from  my  thigh, 

*  As  if  to  slay  her,  I  on  Circe  rushed  : 

'  She  screamed,  and  fled  aside,  and  seized  my  knees, 

'  And  weeping  spake  to  me  these  winged  words  : 

1  "  Who  art  thou  1  whence  ?  what  city,  parents  thine  ?325 

*  "  I  wonder  thou  hast  drunk  these  drugs,  nor  art 

*  "  Bewitched  :  no  other  man  whoe'er  has  drunk, 
'  "  And  let  them  pass  the  barrier  of  his  teeth, 

*  "  Has  borne  against  them :  but  within  thy  breast 

*  "  There  is  a  mind  against  enchantment  proof. 

1  "  Ulysses  sure  thou  art,  of  much  resource,  330 

*  "  Whom  Hermes  of  the  golden  rod  announced 
'  "  To  come,  returning  in  his  ship  from  Troy. 

[  "  Come,  put  thy  sword  within  its  sheath,  that  we 

'  "  May  on  this  couch  ascend,  and  each  with  each 

'  "  Pledges  of  love  and  friendship  interchange."        335 

'  She  spoke  ;  but  I  addressed  her  thus  and  said  : 
'  "  Circe  !  how7  bid  me  to  be  kind  to  thee, 
1  "  When  in  thine  house  thou'st  changed  my  friends  to 
swine  1 


THE   ODYSSEY. —BOOK    X.  169 

1  "  How  bid  me,  now  thou  hast  me  here  with  craft, 

*  "  Go  to  thy  chamber  and  ascend  thy  couch,  340 
'  "  To  make  me  there  disarmed,  unmanly,  base  1 

1  "  But  never  would  I  to  thy  couch  ascend 

1  "  Unless,  0  Goddess  !  thou  a  mighty  oath 

1  "  Wouldst  swear,  nor  death  nor  other  ill  to  plan." 

*  I  spake  ;  she  sware  the  oath  as  I  desired.  345 

1  When  she  had  sworn  and  made  the  oath  complete, 
1  Then  I  ascended  Circe's  beauteous  couch. 

*  Four  maids  meanwhile  were  toiling  in  the  hall, 
1  Who  were  the  menial  servants  of  the  house  : 

*  They  were  the  daughters  of  the  springs  and  groves  350 

*  And  sacred  rivers  flowing  to  the  sea. 

*  One  of  them  placed  fair  carpets  on  the  thrones, 
1  Purple  above,  and  linen  laid  beneath. 

1  Another,  tables  spread  before  the  thrones, 

1  Silver,  and  on  them  golden  baskets  placed.  355 

1  A  third  mixed  honeyed  wine  within  a  bowl 

1  Of  silver,  and  the  golden  cups  arranged. 

*  A  fourth  brought  water  and  made  fire  to  burn 
\  Beneath  a  tripod  ;  and  the  water  boiled. 

*  When  she  the  water  in  the  shining  brass  360 

*  Had  boiled,  she  poured  it,  having  made  me  sit, 
1  Into  a  cauldron  from  the  tripod  large, 

'  Pleasantly  blending,  down  my  head  and  arms, 
'  That  from  my  limbs  she  might  remove  fatigue. 

*  When  she  had  bathed  me  and  with  olive  oil 

1  Anointed,  a  fair  vest  she  round  me  threw  365 

1  And  tunic ;  to  a  silver-studded  throne, 

*  Fair  and  well-wrought,  she  led,  and  made  me  sit 
'  Thereon  :  (a  footstool  was  beneath  my  feet)  \ 


170  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X. 

1  [From  a  fair  golden  ewer  a  maiden  filled 

1  A  bowl,  above  a  silver  cauldron  placed, 

1  To  wash,  and  laid  a  polished  table  near.  370 

■  A  venerable  housekeeper  brought  bread, 

1  Piling  up  divers  cates  in  full  supply,] 

1  And  bade  me  eat :  this  pleased  me  not,  for  I 

*  Had  other  thoughts  ;  my  mind  foreboded  ill. 

'  When  Circe  saw  me  sit,  nor  throw  my  hands  375 

1  Upon  the  food,  as  having  mighty  grief, 
1  By  me  she  stood,  and  spoke  these  winged  words : 
1  "  Why  sit,  Ulysses  !  like  a  voiceless  man, 

*  "  Thy  mind  consuming  but  not  food  nor  drink  1     380 
1  "  Fraud  thou  suspectest ;  but  thou  oughtest  not 

*  "  To  fear,  for  I  have  sworn  a  mighty  oath." 

'  She  spake,  and  I  addressed  her  in  reply : 
'  "  Circe  !  what  man,  who  had  his  feelings  right, 

*  "  Would  have  the  spirit  or  to  eat  or  drink 

c  "  Ere  he  released  his  friends  and  saw  them  free  1  385 
'  "  If  really  thou  wouldst  bid  me  eat  and  drink 
1  "  Free  them,  and  let  me  my  dear  friends  behold." 
' 1  spake,  and  Circe  went  from  out  the  hall, 

*  Holding  a  rod,  and  oped  the  swine-cote  door, 

'  And  drove  them  forth,  like  porkers  in  their  prime. 390 
'  They  stood  in  front  of  her  ;  she  through  them  went, 
'  And  upon  each  besmeared  another  drug. 
'  Down  from  their  limbs  the  bristles  fell,  which  erst 

*  The  horrid  drug  which  Circe  gave  had  caused ; 

*  And  men  they  were,  more  youthful  than  before,     395 

*  Much  handsomer  and  nobler  to  behold. 

'  They  knew  me ;  each  came  clinging  to  my  hand, 
'  And  happy  lamentation  came  on  all. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X.  171 

'  The  house  resounded  ;  e'en  the  Goddess'  self 

1  Felt  pity,  and  thus  standing  by  me  said  :  400 

1  "  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

*  "  Now  to  the  swift  ship  and  the  sea-shore  go ; 
1 "  Draw  first  of  all  the  ship  upon  the  land  ; 

'  "  Your  goods  and  tackling  in  the  caverns  place, 

* "  Andthoureturn,andbringthymuch-lovedfriends."l05 

'  So  spake  she,  and  my  noble  mincL  complied. 
!  *  I  hasted  to  the  swift  ship  and  the  shore, 
1  And  by  the  ship  my  dear  companions  found 
1  Piteously  groaning,  shedding  frequent  tears. 

('  As  when  stalled  calves,  around  the  herded  cows     410 
£  To  the  farm-yard  returning  filled  with  grass, 
1  Leap  forth  to  meet  them,  nor  do  pens  restrain, 

*  But  bleating  round  their  mothers  run  in  crowds ; 
1  So  they,  when  they  beheld  me  with  their  eyes, 

'  Rushed  weeping  to  me  ;  and  their  thought  appeared 
■  To  be  as  though  they  had  already  come  415 

1  To  their  paternal  country,  to  the  town 

*  In  Ithaca  where  they  were  bred  and  born, 

'  And  weeping  spoke  to  me  these  winged  words : 
1  "  0  noble  prince  !  we  joy  in  thy  return, 

*  "  As  though  arrived  at  Ithaca  our  home.  420 
'  "  But  of  our  other  friends  recite  the  fate." 

*  They  spoke  ;  and  I  with  gentle  words  replied  : 
1  "  First  let  us  draw  the  ship  upon  the  land  ; 

'  "  Our  goods  and  tackling  in  the  caverns  place. 

'  "  But  hasten,  that  you  all  may  follow  me,  425 

c  "  And  see  our  friends,  in  Circe's  sacred  house, 

*  "  Eating  and  drinking  :  they  have  full  supply  !  " 

*  I  spake  :  they  quickly  all  obeyed  my  words : 


172  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   X. 

'  Eurylochus  alone  restrained  my  friends, 

*  [And  then  addressed  them  with  these  winged  words  :] 
'  "  Whither  unhappy  go  we  1  and  why  court  430 
'  "  These  ills,  that  we  to  Circe's  house  should  go? 

1  "  To  swine,  wolves,  lions  she  will  turn  us  all, 

'  u  To  guard  her  great  house  by  necessity. 

1  "  So  Cyclops  caught  our  friends  when  to  his  lair    435 

1  "  They  went ;  the  brave  Ulysses  followed  them, 

*  "  And  they  too  died  by  his  fool -hardiness." 

'  He  spoke  j  and  I  debated  in  my  mind 

*  If  I  should  draw  my  long  swTord  from  my  thigh, 

1  Cut  off  his  head,  and  dash  it  on  the  ground,  440 

'  Though  near  in  kindred  to  me ;  but  my  friends 

*  With  honeyed  words  on  all  sides  held  me  back. 
'  "  0  noble  prince  !  we  will  then  leave  him  here, 

*  "  Shouldst   thou   command,  to  stay  and  guard  the 

ship; 

*  "  But  lead  us  on  to  Circe's  sacred  house."  445 

'  Thus  speaking  from  the  ship  and  sea  they  went ; 

*  Nor  by  the  ship  Eurylochus  was  left, 

'  But  followed,  for  he  feared  my  stern  rebuke. 

1  Circe,  meanwhile,  my  other  friends  with  care 

'  Bathed  and  with  oil  anointed  in  her  house  :  450 

'  Around  them  vests  and  fleecy  tunics  threw, 

1  And  in  the  house  we  found  all  feasting  well. 

1  When  they  perceived  each  other,  face  to  face, 

*  They  wrept  and  wailed ;    the  house  was  filled  with 

groans. 

*  The  Goddess  standing  near  me  thus  addressed  :  455 
'  "  [Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  !] 

1  "  No  longer  make  such  groaning ;  I  too  know 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   X.  173 

*  "  What  griefs  ye  suffered  in  thelfishy  sea,; 

'  "  And  how  fierce  men  have  injured  you  ashore. 

*  "  But  come  now,  eat  the  food  and  drink  the  wine,  460 
1  "  Till  ye  regain  your  mind  within  your  breast, 

*  "  Such  as  ye  had  when  at  the  first  ye  left 
1  "  Your  native  soil  of  Ithaca ;  but  now 

*  "  Exhausted,  heartless,  your  sad  wandering 
1  "  Ye  always  think  upon  \  nor  is  your  mind 

*  "  At  ease,  for  ye  have  suffered  many  woes."  465 

*  Thus  spoke  she,  and  our  noble  mind  agreed. 

*  There,  day  by  day,  for  a  whole  year  we  stayed, 
1  Feasting  on  flesh  abundant,  and  sweet  wine. 

1  But  when  the  year  was  o'er  and  hours  revolved 

*  [Of  waning  months,  and  the  long  days  were  done], 

*  My  dear  companions  summoned  me  and  said  :        470 
1  "  Thoughtless  !  bethink  thee  of  thy  fatherland, 

'  "  If  it  be  fate  that  thou  be  saved,  and  go 

*  "  Home  to  thy  high-roofed  house  and  fatherland." 

'  [So  spake  they,  and  my  noble  mind  agreed.        475 
1  All  day  we  feasted,  till  the  set  of  sun, 

*  On  flesh  abundant  and  delicious  wine  : 

*  But  when  the  sun  went  down  and  darkness  came, 
'  They  went  to  sleep  within  the  shady  halls]. 

*  Then  I,  ascending  Circe's  beauteous  couch,  480 
1  Embraced   her   knees   and   prayed ;    she  heard  my 

voice : 
'  "  Circe  !  perform  the  promise  thou  hast  made 

*  "  To  send  me  home  :  now  eager  is  my  mind, 

*  "  And  of  my  friends,  who  waste  their  hearts  away,  485 

*  "  Wailing  to  me  when  thou  art  absent  far." 

1 1  spake :  the  Goddess  forthwith  answered  me  : 


1  74  THE   ODYSSEY.  —BOOK   X. 

'  "  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

*  "  No  longer  stay  unwilling  in  my  house. 

'  "  But  first  another  journey  ye  must  make  ;  490 

t  a  rp0  piuto's  and  dread  Proserpine's  abode 
1  "  Must  go,  and  of  Tiresias  of  Thebes 

*  "  The  soul  consult,  blind  prophet,  of  strong  mind, 

*  "  Whom  Proserpine  endues  alone,  though  dead, 

' "  With   mind   and   thought ;    the   rest   as  shadows 
glide."  495 

'  So  spake  she  ;  but  my  very  heart  was  crushed  ; 

*  And  sitting  on  the  couch  I  wept ;  my  mind 

*  No  longer  wished  to  live  nor  sun's  light  see, 

*  With  weeping  and  forebodings  overwhelmed. 

*  I  with  these  words  addressed  her  in  reply  :  500 
'  "  0  Circe  !  who  shall  guide  me  on  this  road 

'  "  To  Hades,  whither  no  man  ever  sailed?" 
*  I  spake  :  the  Goddess  thus  replied  and  said : 

*  "  Ulysses  !  wise  !  of  brave  Laertes  son  ! 

1  "  Let  not  the  absence  of  a  guide  on  board  5°5 

1 "  Distress   thee :    rear    the   mast,   the   white    sails 

spread ; 
'  "  Sit,  and  the  north  wind's  breeze  will  bear  the  ship. 

*  "  But  when  thou  o'er  Oceanus  hast  sailed, 

1  "  A  narrow  beach,  the  groves  of  Proserpine, 

1  "  Tall  poplars,  willows  with'ring  quick  their  fruit,5l0 

'  "  Are  there,  and  there  to  anchor  bring  thy  ship 

*  "  In  the  Oceanus  with  gulfy  stream ; 

1  "  And  go  thyself  to  Pluto's  dark  abode. 

'  '*  There  Pyriphlegethon,  Cocytus  there, 

'  "  Off-stream  of  Styx,  flow  down  to  Acheron  : 

1  "  Of  two  hoarse  streams  a  rock's  the  confluence.     515 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X.  175 

1  "  Then,  hero  !  going  close,  as  I  command, 
'  "  Dig  thou  a  trench,  a  cubit  ev'ry  way, 
'  "  And  pour  libation  in  to  all  the  dead ; 

*  "  With  honey-mixture  first,  with  sweet  wine  next, 

*  "  With  water  third  ;  and  white  meal  strew  thereon  ; 

*  "  And  of  the  dead  implore  the  nerveless  heads,  520 
1  "  Vowing  to  give  them,  when  to  Ithaca 

'  "  Thou  'rt  come,  a  barren  cow,  within  thine  house 
'  "  The  choicest,  and  with  dainties  fill  a  pyre. 

*  "  Vow  to  Tiresias  to  sacrifice 

*  "  Apart  a  black  sheep,  best  among  your  flocks.  525 
'  "  When  thou  the  noble  nations  of  the  dead 

1  "  With  prayer  hast  supplicated,  offer  up 

1  "  A  black  ewe  lamb,  and,  toward  Erebus 

1  "  Turning  its  head,  do  thou  avert  thyself 

'  "  As  going  to  the  river's  stream,  and  there 

'  "  Of  dead  men's  bodies  many  souls  will  come.        530 

1  "  Then  thy  companions  urgently  command 

'  "  [The  sheep  which  lie  there  slaughtered  by  the  sword], 

'  "  To  flay  and  burn,  and  to  the  Gods  make  prayer ; 

*  "  To  mighty  Pluto  and  dread  Proserpine. 

*  "  Draw  thou  thy  sharp  sword  from  beside  thy  thigh, 
'  "  And  sit,  nor  let  the  dead  men's  nerveless  heads  535 
1  "  Come  near  the  blood,  ere  of  Tiresias 

*  "  Thou  hast  inquiry  made ;  the  soothsayer 

'  "  Quick  will  arrive,  and,  noble  chief !  to  thee 
'  "  Thy  way  and  what  the  distance  he  will  tell, 

*  "  And  thy  return  upon  the  fishy  sea."  540 

4  She  spoke,  and  golden-throned  Aurora  came. 
'  Then  she  placed  round  me  tunic,  cloak,  and  vests  : 

*  The  nymph  a  robe  of  silv'ry  whiteness  took, 


176  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    X. 

'  Slender  and  graceful ;  put  around  her  waist 

*  A  golden  belt ;  upon  her  head  a  veil.  "  545 

*  I  through  the  house  went  and  urged  on  my  friends 
1  With  honeyed  words,  as  by  each  man  I  stood  : 

*  "  No  longer  slumb'ring  in  sweet  sleep  indulge, 
1  "  But  let  us  go  ;  for  Circe  gives  command." 

'  So  spake  I,  and  their  noble  mind  agreed.  550 

'  Yet  not  e'en  thence  I  scatheless  led  my  friends. 
'  Elpenor  was  the  youngest ;  was  not  brave 

*  In  war,  nor  was  he  strong  in  intellect. 

'  He  from  his  friends  afar  in  Circe's  house, 

1  Courting  the  cool  air,  lay  oppressed  with  wine.      555 

*  The  noise  and  tumult  of  his  friends  astir 
'  He  heard,  and  rising  suddenly  forgot 

'  With  backward  step  the  high  stair  to  descend, 

'  But  from  the  roof  fell  headlong  down  ;  his  neck 

'  Was  broken,  and  his  soul  to  Pluto  went.  560 

'  As  they  were  coming  I  addressed  them  thus  : 

'  "  Ye  think  to  go  to  fatherland  and  home, 

'  "  But  Circe  points  another  road ;  to  go 

1  "  To  Pluto's-  and  dead  Proserpine's  abode, 

1  "  And  of  Tiresias  consult  the  shade."  565 

'  So  spake  I ;  but  their  very  heart  was  crushed  ; 
'  And  sitting  down  they  groaned  and  tore  their  hair ; 
'  But  yet  it  was  of  no  avail  to  weep. 
c  When  grieving  to  the  swift  ship  and  the  shore, 
1  And  pouring  down  abundant  tears,  we  came,  570 

'  Then  to  the  black  ship  Circe  went,  and  bound 
'  A  black  ewe  lamb  therein,  and  passed  by  all 
'  With  ease ;  for  who  could  see  against  his  will 

*  A  God,  if  this  or  that  way  he  may  go  1 ' 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI.  177 


BOOK     XI. 


4  But  to  the  ship  and  sea  when  we  had  come, 
'  First  to  the  sea  divine  our  ship  we  drew, 

*  And  in  the  black  ship  placed  the  mast  and  sails. 

*  We  put  the  sheep  on  board,  and  we  ourselves 

*  Went  grieving,  pouring  down  abundant  tears. 
1  Circe,  dread  Goddess  with  a  human  voice, 

*  Sent  us,  behind  the  dark-prowed  ship,  a  breeze, 
1  Fair  and  that  filled  our  sails,  companion  good. 

*  Placing  with  toil  the  tackling  in  the  ship 
1  We  sate  ;  the  wind  and  steersman  drove  us  straight ; 

*  The  sails,  as  all  day  long  it  sped,  were  stretched ; 
'  And  the  sun  set  and  all  the  ways  were  dark. 

*  It  reached  the  shores  of  deep  Oceanus : 
i  Of  the  Cimmerian  men  the  race  ancTtown    - 

*  Were  there,  in  mist  and  cloud  enwrapped ;  the  sun 

[  Never  looks  down  upon  them  with  its  rays,  1& 

'  Nor  when  it  marches  up  the  starry  sky, 
1  Nor  when  from  heaven  it  turns  again  to  earth ; 
'  But  over  wretched  men  sad  night  is  spread. 

*  Arrived  we  moored  the  ship,  and  disembarked 

*  The  sheep  ;  the  river  of  Oceanus,  30 

*  Skirting  the  place  that  Circe  named,  we  reached. 
'  There  Perimedcs  and  Eurylochus 

*  The  victims  held ;  my  sharp  sword  from  my  thigh 

*  I  drew,  and  scooped  a  trench  a  cubit  wide.  26 

*  I.  poured  libation  in  to  all  the  dead, 

*  With  honey  mixture  first,  with  sweet  wine  next, 

1  With  water  third ;  and  white  meal  strewed  thereon  ; 

N 


178  THE   ODYSSEY.  — BOOK    XI. 

1  And  of  the  dead  implored  the  nerveless  heads, 

*  Vowing  to  give  them,  when  to  Ithaca 

*  I  came,  a  barren  cow,  within  the  house  SO 
'  The  choicest,  and  with  dainties  fill  a  pyre  ; 

*  And  to  Tiresias  to  sacrifice, 

1  Apart,  a  black  sheep,  best  among  my  flocks. 

*  When  I  the  nations  of  the  dead  with  vows 

'  And  prayers  had  supplicated,  of  the  sheep  36 

'  I  cut  the  throats  above  the  trench ;  black  blood 
1  Flowed  forth  therein  :  beneath  from  Erebus 

*  The  souls  of  dead  men's  bodies  came  in  crowds, 
'  Maids,  bachelors,  laborious  old  men, 

1  Young  tender  girls  with  hearts  to  sorrow  new, 

'  And  many  war-slain  men,  by  brazen  spears  4<> 

*  Wounded,  and  bearing  armour  stained  with  gore. 

*  In  crowds  around  the  trench  from  every  side, 

I  With  awful  cries,  they  flocked ;  awe  seized  my  mind.* 
'  Then  my  companions  urgently  I  bade 

'  The  sheep,  which  lay  there  slaughtered  by  the  sword, 
'  To  flay  and  burn,  and  to  the  Gods  make  prayer :    45 

*  To  mighty  Pluto  and  dread  Proserpine. 

I I  drew  my  sharp  sword  from  beside  my  thigh, 

'  And  sate,  nor  let  the  dead  men's  nerveless  heads 
'  Come  near  the  blood,  ere  of  Tiresias, 

*  The  soothsayer,  I  had  inquiry  made.  »o 

*  First  of  our  friend  Elpenor  came  the  soul ; 
1  For  he  had  not  been  buried  in  the  earth : 

*  His  body  we  had  left  in  Circe's  halls, 

'  Unwept,  unburied ;  other  labour  prest. 

i  Him  when  I  saw  I  wept  and  pitied  him  ;  W 

'  And,  speaking  thus,  with  winged  words  addressed  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI.  179 

*  "  Elpenor  !  how  beneath  the  darksome  shade 

'  "  Com'st  thou,  on  foot  outstripping  me  by  ship  1 " 

1 1  spoke,  and  groaning  thus  he  answered  me  : 
1 "  [Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  !]  60 

1 "  Me  evil  fate  and  cursed  wine  destroyed. 

*  "Asleep  in  Circe's  palace  I  forgot 

'  "  With  backward  step  the  high  stair  to  descend, 

1 "  But  from  the  roof  fell  headlong  down  ;  my  neck 

1 "  Was  broken,  and  to  Pluto's  house  I  went.  65 

1 "  Now  by  those  left  behind,  who  are  not  here, 

'  "  I  pray  thee  ;  by  thy  wife,  and  by  thy  sire 

' "  Who  brought  thee  up  when  thou  wert  but  a  child  ; 

* "  And  by  Telemachus,  thine  only  one, 

*  "  Whom  thou  hast  left  at  home  :  I  know  that  thou 
1 "  When  going  hence  from  Pluto's  house  wilt  moor 

1 "  On  the  iEsean  isle  thy  well-wrought  ship  :  70 

1 "  There  then,  O  king  !  I  bid  thee  think  on  me. 
'  "  Unwept,  unburied  leave  me  not  behind, 

*  "  Lest  I  be  cause  of  anger  from  the  Gods, 

'  "  But  burn  me  with  my  arms,  whate'er  they  be, 

*  "  And  heap  a  mound  upon  the  white  sea's  shore      75 
'"Toa  grieved  man,  for  future  men  to  hear. 

1 "  This  do  for  me,  and  fix  upon  the  mound 

f  "  The  oar  I  living  rowed  with  'mong  my  friends." 

*  He  spake,  and  I  addressed  him  in  reply : 
' "  This,  0  unhappy  man  !  I  will  perform."  80 

'  Thus  interchanging  mournful  words  we  sate  ; 

*  I  holding  o'er  the  blood  my  sword  apart, 

1  And  talking  much,  my  friend's  shade  opposite. 

*  Then  next  the  soul  of  my  dead  mother  came, 

1  Anticlea,  child  of  Autolycus,  85 


180  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI. 

'  Whom  I  left  living  when  I  went  to  Troy. 
1  Her  when  I  saw  I  wept  and  pitied  her. 

*  Yet  not  e'en  so,  though  overwhelmed  with  grief, 
'  Did  I  permit  her  to  approach  the  blood 

'  Ere  I  inquired  of  Tiresias. 

'  The  soul  then  of  Tiresias  approached  90 

1  With  staff  of  gold  ;  he  knew  me  and  addressed : 

*  "  [Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  !] 

*  "  The  sun's  light  leaving,  why,  unhappy  man  ! 

'  "  Com'st  thou  the  dead  and  their  sad  land  to  see  1 
'  "  But  from  the  trench  retire  ;  put  up  thy  sword,     95 
' "  That  I  may  drink  the  blood  and  tell  thee  true." 

*  He  spake,  and  I  my  silver-hilted  sword 
1  Put  back,  and  in  the  scabbard  fixed  j  he  drank 
'  The  blood,  and  thus  the  blameless  prophet  spake  : 
'  "  Illustrious  Ulysses  !  sweet  return  100 

1  "  Thou  seekest ;  God  will  make  it  difficult. 
'  "  I  do  not  think  that  Neptune  will  forget 
'  "  The  anger  he  implanted  in  his  mind, 
'  "  Enraged  that  thou  hast  blinded  his  dear  son  j 
'  "  Yet  even  so,  though  suff 'ring,  ye  may  go, 
c  "  If  thine  own  mind  and  of  thy  friends  thou  wilt  105 
'  "  Restrain,  when  first  thy  well-made  ship  thou  bring'st 
'"To  the  Trinacrian  isle,  in  flight  across 
'  "  The  azure  sea,  and  findest  feeding  there 
'  "  The  oxen  and  the  fat  sheep  of  the  sun, 
'  "  Who  all  things  overlooks  and  all  things  hears  : 
'  "  These  if  thou  hurt  not,  hoping  for  return,  HO 

*  "  To  Ithaca,  though  suff'ring,  ye  may  go  : 

' "  But  shouldst  thou  hurt  them,  ruin  I  forebode 

'  "  To  ship  and  friends ;  and  though  thou  mayst  escape 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI.  181 

"  Thyself,  thou 'It  late,  unhappily,  return, 

"  Losing  thy  friends,  upon  a  stranger's  ship 

"  Conveyed,  and  find  calamities  at  home  ;  115 

"  Proud  men  who,  while  thy  substance  they  devour, 

"  Woo  thy  good  wife  and  give  her  spousal  gifts. 

"  Yet  coming  thou  their  outrage  wilt  repay ; 

"  But  when  the  suitors  in  thine  house  thou  hast, 

11  By  craft  or  openly  by  sword,  destroyed,  120 

"  Go  afterwards,  and  take  a  broad-palmed  oar, 

"  Until  thou  com'st  to  men  who  do  not  know 

"  The  sea,  nor  eat  their  victuals  mixed  with  salt,' 

"  Nor  know  they  ships  whose  sides  are  painted  red, 

"  Nor  the  broad  oars  which  are  the  wings  of  ships.135 

"  Clear  sign  I  tell  thee  which  will  not  deceive  : 

"  When  thee  some  other  traveller  shall  meet, 

"  And  say  thou  bear'st  a  fan  to  winnow  corn 

"  Upon  thy  noble  shoulder,  fix  the  oar 

"  Upon  the  ground,  and  to  king  Neptune  make      130 

"  Fair  sacrifice ;  a  lamb,  a  bull,  a  boar. 

"  Then  home  return,  and  sacred  hecatombs 

"  Give  to  the  Gods  who  in  the  wide  sky  dwell, 

"  To  all  of  them  in  order  :  from  the  sea 

"  Death  without  violence  will  on  thee  come,  136 

u  To  kill  thee,  by  a  prosperous  old  age 

"  Weighed  down  ;  contented  will  thy  subjects  be 

"  Around  thee ;  this  unerringly  I  tell." 

i  He  spoke,  and  I  addressed  him  in  reply : 
"  Tiresias  !  'tis  this  the  Gods  themselves 
"  Have  fated ;  but  this  tell  and  tell  me  true  :         140 
"  Here  I  the  soul  of  my  dead  mother  see, 
"  Who  sits  in  silence  near  the  blood,  nor  dares 


182  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XI. 

'  "  To  look  upon  her  son,  nor  speak  a  word ; 

*  "  Say,  king !  how  she  may  know  me  yet  alive1?" 

*  I  spoke,  and  he  addressed  me  in  reply  :  145 
'  "  With  ease  I'll  tell  and  make  thee  understand. 

*  "  Whomever  of  the  dead  thou  dost  permit 

*  "  The  blood  to  come  near,  he  will  tell  thee  truth  ; 
'  "  Whom  thou  rejectest  he  will  back  retire." 

*  The  soul  of  king  Tiresias  thus  spake 

1  In  prophecy,  and  went  to  Pluto's  house.  150 

'  But  I  stood  firm  until  my  mother  came ; 

'  She  drank  the  black  blood  and  she  knew  me  then, 

'  And  wailing  spake  to  me  these  winged  words : 

'  "  My  son  !  how  com'st  thou  'neath  the  gloomy  shaded 

'  "  Alive  1  'tis  hard  for  living  men  to  see 

*  "  These  things :  great  streams,  dire  torrents  intervene : 
'  "  Oceanus  the  first,  which  none  can  pass 

c  "  [On  foot  nor  if  he  have  a  well-wrought  ship]. 

'  "  Hither  how  com'st  thou,  wandering  from  Troy    160 

*  "  Long  time  with  ship  and  friends  ?  hast  thou  not  been 
'  "  To  Ithaca,  nor  seen  thy  wife  at  home  1 " 

'  She  spake  and  I  addressed  her  in  reply : 
'  "  My  mother  !  urgent  need  has  brought  me  down 
'  "  To  Pluto's  house,  to  ask  an  oracle 
<  "  Of  the  soul  of  Tiresias  of  Thebes.  165 

*  "  I  have  not  Greece  approached,  nor  mine  own  land 
'  "  Have  trode  on,  but  have  wandered,  woe-begone, 

*  "  Since  Agamemnon  I  accompanied 

'  "  To  well-horsed  Troy,  with  Trojan  men  to  fight. 
1  "  But  come  now  tell  me  this  and  tell  me  true  :       170 
1  "  What  fate  of  death's  long  sleep  has  thee  subdued  1 
'  "  Was  it  a  lingering  disease,  or  did 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XI.  183 

*  "  The  archeress  Diana,  with  mild  darts 

'  "  Attacking,  slay  thee  ?  tell  me  too  about 

*  "  My  father,  and  the  son  I  left ;  my  royalty, —      175 

■  "  Rests  it  with  them  or  has  some  other  man 

■  "  Gained  it,  and  said  that  I  shall  ne'er  return  ? 
'  "  Tell  me  the  counsels  of  my  wedded  wife  : 

'  "  Stays  she  to  guard  the  boy  and  keep  all  safe  ? 

*  "  Or  is  she  married  to  some  Grecian  chief? " 

1 1  spake ;  my  venerable  mother  said  :  180 

*  "  She  in  thine  house  full  well  with  patient  mind 

*  "  Abides ;  but  always  grievous  nights  and  days 

*  "  Waste  her,  the  while  she  weeps  ;  thy  royalty 
'  "  None  else  obtains  ;  Telemachus  at  peace 

*  "  Directs  thy  lands,  and  shares  the  equal  feasts      185 
'  "  Which  it  befits  a  law-giver  to  join, 

*  "  For  all  invite  him  ;  in  the  country  still 

*  "  Thy  father  stays,  nor  to  the  town  descends. 

*  "  Couches,  beds,  vests,  and  shining  coverlids 

1  '<  Are  not  for  him  ;  he  in  the  winter  sleeps  190 

*  "  Where  sleep  the  servants  in  the  house,  in  dust 
'  "  Close  to  the  fire  ;  and  puts  mean  raiment  on. 

1  "  But  when  the  summer  and  rich  autumn  come, 
'  "  Somewhere  within  the  vineyard's  nook,  his  bed 
'  u  Of  fallen  leaves  is  laid  upon  the  ground. 
1  "  There  sorrowing  he  lies,  and  in  his  mind  195 

*  "  Nurses  his  grief  and  longs  for  thy  return, 

'  "  While  burthensome  old  age  upon  him  comes. 

*  "  And  I  there  also  died  and  met  my  fate  j 
'  "  Diana,  aiming  surely,  slew  me  not 

1  "  With  her  mild  darts  attacking  in  the  house, 

*  "  Nor  did  disease  come  on  me,  which  so  oft  200 


184  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI. 

1  "  Wastes  by  its  sad  decline  the  life  away ; 

*  "  'Twas  my  regret  for  thee,  my  care  for  the* 
'  "  My  tender  feeling  for  thee,  noble  son  ! 

I  "  That  took  my  life,  as  honey  sweet,  away. 

*  She  spake ;  but  I  with  eagerness  desired 
'  Of  my  dead  mother  to  embrace  the  shade.  205 

I I  thrice  rushed  on  ;  my  soul  compelled  th'  embrace  ; 
1  Thrice,  like  a  shadow  or  a  dream,  my  grasp 

*  She  fled,  and  more  grief  agonised  my  heart. 

'  Then  I  addressed  her  with  these  winged  words  : 

'  "  My  mother  !  why  not  wait  for  me,  who  am  210 

*  "  So  eager  to  embrace  thee,  that  e'en  here 

'  "  In  Hades  we  may  twine  our  loving  hands, 
'  "  And  with  cold  sorrow  both  be  satisfied  1 
'  "  Or  does  the  noble  Proserpine  but  raise 

*  "  Some  phantom,  that  I  more  may  grieve  and  wail1?" 

'  I  spake  :  my  venerable  mother  said  :  215 

'  "  Ah  me  !  my  child,  ill-fated  above  all ! 
'  "  Jove's  daughter,  Proserpine,  beguiles  thee  not ; 

*  "  This  is  the  lot  of  mortals  who  are  dead  : 

*  lt  Muscles  no  more  enwrap  their  flesh  and  bones  ; 

'  *  These  the  fierce  rage  of  burning  fire  subdues,      220 
«  'yWhen  first  the  life  the  whit'ning  bones  deserts ; 
'  "  The  soul  flies  flutt'ring  like  a  dream  away. 
1  *f  Be  eager  for  the  light,  but  learn  all  this 

*  f  That  thou  mayst  after  tell  it  to  thy  wife." 

'  '  Thus  we  conversed  ;  and  then  the  women  came,  225 
1  For  noble  Proserpine  had  urged  those  on 
'  Who  were  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  chiefs ; 
'  And  round  the  blood  they  thickly  came  in  crowds. 

*  I  was  in  doubt  how  I  should  question  each ; 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI.  185 

1  This  to  my  mind  appeared  the  wisest  plan ;  230 

*  I  drew  my  long  sword  from  my  stalwart  thigh, 
'  Nor  let  them  all  at  once  the  black  ]3lood  drink. 
1  They  in  succession  came,  and  each  of  them 

1  Declared  her  family  ;  I  questioned  them  : 

1  Tyro  of  noble  father  first  1  saw,  235 

*  Who  of  Salmoneus  claimed  to  be  the  child  ; 
'  Said  of  ^Eolian  Cretheus  she  was  wife  : 

1  She  loved  Enipeus,  stream  divine,  most  fair 
1  Of  all  the  rivers  on  the  earth  that  flow  ; 

*  And  to  Enipeus'  stream  she  often  went.  240 

*  The  earth-surrounding  Neptune,  in  his  form, 

*  Wooed  her  and  won  her  at  the  river's  mouth ; 

*  A  wave  rose  round  them  as  a  mountain  high, 

*  And  curling  hid  the  woman  and  the  God. 

*  [Her  zone  he  loosed,  and  on  her  poured  sweet  sleep]. 245 
1  The  God,  before  the  river's  mouth  he  left, 

*  Clung  to  her  hand  and  with  these  words  addressed  : 

*  "  Be  happy,  lady  !  in  thy  love,  and,  when 

'  "  The  year  revolves,  fair  babes  thou  shalt  produce  ; 
'  "  Of  the  immortals  not  unfruitful  are 

*  '*  The  loves ;  but  thou  protect  and  nurse  them  well .250 

*  "  Go  home  now,  and  be  silent ;  no  one  name, 

1  "  But  know  that  I  earth-shaking  Neptune  am." 

'  He  spake,  and  sank  beneath  the  wavy  sea : 
'  To  Pelias  and  Neleus  she  gave  birth ; 
'  Both  were  brave  servants  of  the  mighty  Jove  :        255 

*  In  wide  Iolchos  Pelias  abode, 

i  Rich  in  his  flocks  and  herds  ;  the  other  dwelt 
4  In  sandy  Pylos  :  other  offspring  too 

*  His  royal  lady  did  to  Cretheus  bear, 


186  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XL 

'  iEson  and  Pheres  and  Amythaon. 

'  I  saw  Antiope,  ^Esopus'  child,  260 

1  Who,  boasting  to  have  had  the  love  of  Jove, 

1  To  him  Amphion,  Zethus,  twin  sons,  bore. 

'  The  seven-gated  Thebes  they  founded  first, 

I  And  fortified ;  they  could  not  dwell  in  Thebes 

*  Unfortified,  however  brave  they  were.  265 

1  Alcmena  next,  wife  of  Amphitryon, 

I I  saw  there,  who  gave  birth  to  Hercules, 

*  Man  firmly  valiant  with  a  lion's  heart, 

'  Responding  to  the  love  of  mighty  Jove. 

*  And  haughty  Creon's  daughter,  Megara, 

*  Wife  of  Amphitryon's  unconquered  son.  270 

'  The  mother  too  of  (Edipus  I  saw, 
'  Fair  Epicaste,  who,  in  ignorance 
i  Of  mind,  committed  an  atrocity ; 

*  Married  her  own  son,  who  had  killed  his  sire ; 
'  And  this  the  Gods  have  made  notorious. 

'  He,  suff'ring  sorrows,  the  Cadmeans  ruled  275 

'  In  fair  Thebes,  through  the  Gods'  pernicious  plans. 

*  To  Pluto's  house,  strong  keeper  of  the  gates, 

*  A  noose  suspending  from  the  lofty  roof, 

*  O'erwhelmed  by  grief,  she  went  and  left  to  him 

'  Afflictions,  which  his  mother's  Furies  wrought.       280 

*  And  Chloris,  very  beautiful,  I  saw, 

1  Whom  Neleus  for  her  beauty  erst  espoused, 
'  Giving  innumerable  marriage  gifts, 

*  The  youngest  daughter  of  Amphion,  son 

*  Of  Iasus,  who  once  was  mighty  king 
'  Over  the  Minyan  Orchomenos. 

*  She,  queen  of  Pylos,  bore  him  noble  sons ;  285 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI.  187 

'  Nestor,  Chromius,  Periclymenos  ; 

'  Pero  she  bore  besides,  admired  by  men, 

*  Whom  all  around  her  wooed  ;  but  not  to  one 

*  Would  Neleus  give  her,  if  he  did  not  drive 

1  The  slowly-trailing  beeves  with  foreheads  broad, 

1  Hard  to  be  tamed,  of  noble  Iphiclus,  2fJ0 

*  From  Phylace.     A  famous  soothsayer 

'  Promised  alone  to  drive  them ;  but  stern  fate 
'  And  fetters  hard  to  break,  and  herdsmen  fierce, 

*  Enchained  him.  When  the  months  and  days  were  past 
1  Of  the  revolving  year,  and  hours  came  on,  2^ 

*  The  noble  Iphiclus  then  set  him  free, 

*  Telling  the  future  ;  and  Jove's  will  was  done. 

*  Leda  I  saw,  the  wife  of  Tyndarus  ;  «pf\) 

*  To  Tyndarus  she  bore  two  valiant  sons,         pQj" 

1  Horse -taming  Castor,  Pollux  good  with  fists ;  300 

*  Whom  both  alive  the  fertile  earth  absorbed, 

*  Honoured  by  Jove,  although  beneath  the  earth. 
'  Alternate  days  they  live,  alternate  die, 

'  And  have  an  honour  equal  to  the  Gods. 

*  Iphimedia  next,  Aloeus'  wife,  305 
'  I  saw  j  she  claimed  by  Neptune  to  be  loved, 

*  And  bore  two  sons,  but  of  short  life  they  were, 
'  Brave  Otus,  Ephialtes  far  renowned  ; 

*  The  tallest  men  the  fertile  earth  maintained, 

*  And,  next  renowned  Orion,  fairest  far.  310 
1  When  they  were  nine  years  old  they  were  in  breadth 
'  Nine  cubits ;  but  nine  fathoms  were  in  height. 

'  They  in  Olympus  threatened  with  the  Gods 

1  To  raise  the  combat  of  impetuous  war  j 

1  Upon  Olympus  Ossa  they  essayed  315 


188  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI. 

1  To  place,  on  Ossa  woody  Pelion, 

*  That  so  the  sky  might  be  accessible  ; 

'  And  would  have  done  it,  had  they  manhood  reached  j 

*  But  Jove's  son,  whom  fair-haired  Latona  bare, 

*  Destroyed  them  both,  before  upon  their  cheeks 

*  The  hair  had  grown  and  clothed  their  chins  with  do  wn.320 

1  Phaedra  and  Procris,  Ariadne  fair, 

*  Sagacious  Minos'  daughter,  next  I  saw ; 

'  Whom  Theseus  took  away  from  Crete,  and  brought 

*  To  sacred  Athens'  land,  nor  her  enjoyed, 
'  For  first  Diana  slew  her  in  the  isle 

1  Of  Dia,  from  what  Bacchus  testified.  325 

1  Maera  and  Clymene  I  saw,  and  her, 

*  The  hateful  Eriphyle,  who  received 

I  For  her  dear  husband  gold  of  costly  price. 

I I  could  not  all  of  them  recite  or  name, 

*  The  heroes'  wives  and  daughters,  whom  I  saw. 

*  Ambrosial  night  would  fail ;  it  is  the  hour  330 

*  To  sleep  ;  on  board,  if  going  to  my  friends, 

*  Or  here  :  my  convoy's  for  the  Gods  and  you.' 

He  spake  :  they  all  in  perfect  silence  sate, 
For  they  were  spell-bound  in  the  shady  halls. 
White-armed  Arete  then  began  the  speech  :  335 

^"What,  ye  Phaeacians  !  think  ye  of  this  man, 

*  His  form  and  stature  and  well-balanced  mind  1 
1  He  is  my  guest,  but  each  the  honour  shares. 

1  Send  him  not  off  in  haste,  nor  stint  your  gifts 

*  To  one  who  needs  them  so  ;  for  in  your  halls,         340 

*  By  the  God's  will,  are  many  treasures  laid.' 

To  them  the  aged  Echineus  spoke, 
The  oldest  man  of  the  Phaeacians. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI.  189 

1  Friends !  not  beside  the  mark  or  what  we  think 

*  Speaks  the  wise  queen  ;  comply  ye,  but  hereon      345 
4  Both  word  and  deed  rest  with  Alcinous.' 

To  him  Alcinous  replied  and  said  : 

*  This  shall  be  so,  if  I  but  live  and  rule 

1  O'er  the  Phseacians  who  delight  in  oars. 

1  But  let  our  guest,  though  anxious  for  return,         350 

1  Wait  till  to-morrow,  that  I  may  complete 

1  Our  gift ;  the  convoy  is  the  care  of  men, 

*  Of  all,  and  most  of  me  who  rule  the  land.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said : 
'  Alcinous  !  of  all  the  people  chief !  355 

I  If  ye  should  bid  me  stay  here  for  a  year, 
'  Prepare  a  convoy,  and  rich  gifts  bestow ; 

I I  would  consent ;  and  'twould  much  better  be 
'  With  fuller  hand  to  ray  dear  land  to  go, 

*  With  more  esteem  and  friendship  from  the  men     360 
1  Who  witness  my  return  to  Ithaca.' 

To  him  Alcinous  replied  and  said  : 
1  Ulysses !  when  we  saw  we  did  thee  not 

*  With  an  impostor  or  a  thief  compare ; 

1  And  many  such  as  these  the  black  earth  feeds,       365 

*  Men  widely  spread  abroad,  devising  lies, 

'  From  what  source  coming  none  can  see :  with  thee 
'  Thy  form  of  language  and  thy  mind  are  good  : 
'  Wisely  thy  tale,  as  bard  might,  thou  hast  told, 

*  The  woes  of  all  the  Argives  and  thine  own. 

1  But  come  now,  tell  me  this,  and  tell  me  true ;        370 
'  If  any  of  thy  god-like  friends  thou  saw'st, 
1  Who  followed  thee  to  Troy  and  perished  there. 
'  The  night  is  very  long,  immense ;  not  yet 


190  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XI. 

*  The  hour  for  sleeping  in  the  house  is  come. 

1  Tell  me  thy  wondrous  tales,  for  I  would  wait 
1  E'en  till  the  morn  divine,  if  in  the  house  375 

1  Thou  couldst  endure  thy  sorrows  to  recite.' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said : 
'  Alcinous  !  of  all  the  people  chief ! 
1  There  is  a  time  for  words,  a  time  for  sleep. 
'  If  thou  wouldst  hear  them,  I  would  not  refuse       380 
1  To  tell  thee  other  sorrows  of  my  friends, 
1  Even  more  pitiful  than  these  ;  of  other  woes 

*  Of  my  companions,  who,  on  their  return, 

*  'Scaping  indeed  the  grievous  Trojan  fight, 
1  By  a  bad  woman's  instigation  died. 

*  Now  when  chaste  Proserpine  the  women's  souls,     385 

*  Some  one  way,  some  another,  had  dispersed, 

*  The  soul  of  Agamemnon,  Atreus'  son, 

6  Came  grieving j  others  were  collected  round, 
1  Who  in  JEgisthus'  house  with  him  had  died. 

*  He  knew  me,  soon  as  he  the  black  blood  drank,     390 
1  And  groaned  aloud,  and  shed  a  frequent  tear, 

1  Stretching  his  hands  desirous  mine  to  clasp  ; 
'  But  there  was  in  him  no  more  strength  or  force 

*  Such  as  before  was  in  his  supple  limbs. 

*  I  when  I  saw  him  wept,  and  in  my  mind  395 

*  Pitied,  and  spoke  to  him  these  winged  words  : 

*  "  0  noble  Agamemnon  !  king  of  men  ! 

c  "  What  fate  of  death's  long  sleep  has  thee  subdued  ? 

*  "  Did  Neptune  kill  thee  in  the  ships,  a  storm 

1  "  Immense  arousing  of  the  boist'rous  winds?  400 

*  "  Or  did  fierce  men  do  violence  ashore, 

'  "  While  thou  wert  cutting  off  their  beeves  and  flocks 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI.  191 

1  "  Of  sheep,  or  fighting  for  their  town  and  wives  ? " 
'  So  spake  I,  and  he  thus  forthwith  replied : 
"  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  !  405 

"  Me  neither  Neptune  in  the  ships  subdued, 
"  A  storm  arousing  of  the  boist'rous  winds, 
"  Nor  fierce  men  did  me  violence  ashore. 
"  For  me  vEgisthus  death  and  fate  devised, 
"  Leagued  with  my  murd'rouswife,  and,  to  his  house410 
"  Inviting,  while  he  feasted  slew  me  there, 
"  As  at  the  manger  one  wTould  slay  an  ox. 
"  So  died  I  by  a  miserable  death : 
"  My  other  friends  were  pitilessly  slain 
"  Around  me,  as  though  white-tusked  swine  they  were 
"  At  some  rich  monarch's  board,  or  marriage  rites, 
"  Or  social  meal,  or  at  a  dainty  feast.  415 

"  Thou  hast  stood  by  when  many  men  where  slain 
"  In  single  combat,  or  in  dreadful  fight ; 
"  Yet  more  thou  wouldst  have  grieved  if  thou  hadst 

seen 
"  How  in  the  house  round  bowls  and  tables  full 
"  We  lay,  and  all  the  pavement  smoked  with  blood. 
"  Cassandra's,  Priam's  daughter,  piteous  voice,       420 
"  Whom  o'er  me  crafty  Clytemnestra  slew, 
"  I  heard ;  but  on  the  ground  I  raised  my  hands, 
"  And  dying,  clutched  my  sword.    She,  shameless  one, 
"  Stood  off,  nor  deigned,  though  I  to  Hades  went,  425 
"  To  draw  my  eyelids  down  or  close  my  mouth. 
"  Oh  !  there  is  nought  more  fierce  or  impudent, 
"  When  in  her  mind  such  deeds  she  meditates, 
"  Than  is  a  woman  wTho,  like  her,  has  planned 
"  The  dreadful  deed,  her  wedded  spouse  to  slay.    430 


192  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI. 

*  "  Full  surely  thought  I  that  I  should  return, 

*  "  To  children  and  to  servants  welcome,  home. 
'  "  She  above  all,  by  her  atrocious  plots, 

'  "  Has  heaped  disgrace  upon  herself  and  all 

*  "  Women  hereafter,  e'en  though  one  be  good." 

*  He  spake  ;  and  I  addressed  him  in  reply :  435 

*  "  0  strange  it  is  how  the  wide-seeing  Jove 
4  "  Has  violently  hated  Atreus'  race, 

* "  Through  female  counsels,  from  the  very  first ! 
'  "  For  Helen  many  of  us  died  ;  'gainst  thee 

*  "  Far  off  has  Clytemnestra  planned  her  wiles." 

'  So  spake  I :  he  forthwith  replied  and  said  :         440 

*  "  Then  never  be  thou  gentle  to  thy  wife, 

*  "  Nor  ev'ry  word  thou  know'st  thyself  disclose  : 
* "  Tell  her  but  part,  and  let  part  be  concealed. 

*  "  But  not  to  thee,  Ulysses  !  from  thy  wife 

* "  Will  slaughter  come,  for  she  is  very  wise, 

*  "  And  in  her  mind  she  prudent  counsels  knows,     446 

*  "  Icarius'  daughter,  sage  Penelope. 

1 "  Her,  newly  married,  going  to  the  war 

*  "  We  left  ;  an  infant  boy  was  at  her  breast : 

*  "  Now  sits  he  prosp'rous,  numbered  among  men. 

1  "  Him  his  dear  father  when  he  comes  will  see,       450 
1  "  And  he  embrace  his  father,  as  is  right. 
1 "  But  my  wife  did  not  e'en  permit  mine  eyes 
' "  To  gaze  upon  my  son,  but  slew  me  first. 

*  "  [Another  thing  I  tell  thee  ;  weigh  it  well ; 

1  "  To  thy  dear  land  steer  secretly  thy  ship,  455 

' "  Not  openly  ;(in  women  is  no  trust.  J 

1 "  But  come  now  tell  me  this  and  tell  me  true, 

'  "  Of  my  son  living  in  Orchomenos, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI.  193 

"'In  sandy  Pylos,  or  in  Sparta  wide  460 

*  "  With  Menelaus,  hear  ye  any  news  1 

1  "  Still  upon  earth  Orestes  is  not  dead." 
1  So  spake  he  :  I  addressed  him  in  reply  : 

«  "  Why  ask,  Atrides  1  I  nor  know  if  he 

1  "  Lives  or  is  dead  :  'tis  wrong  vain  words  to  speak." 
*  Thus  interchanging  mournful  words  we  stood    465 

*  In  grief  and  letting  fall  the  frequent  tear. 
1  The  soul  of  Peleus'  son,  Achilles,  came  ; 

'  Those  of  Patroclus,  brave  Antilochus, 

*  And  Ajax,  who  was  best  in  face  and  form 

'  Of  all  the  Greeks,  next  Peleus'  noble  son.  470 

1  The  soul  then  of  the  swift  vEacides 

'  Knew  me,  and  grieving  spake  these  winged  words  : 

1  "  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

1  "  Why,  bold  one  !  plann'st  thou  yet  a  greater  deed  ? 

*  "  Dar'st  thou  to  come  to  Pluto's  house,  where  dwell 

1  w  Th'  insensate  dead,  shades  of  departed  men1?"     475 

£  He  spake  :  and  I  addressed  him  in  reply : 
1  "  Achilles  !  son  of  Peleus  !  of  the  Greeks 
'  "  Bravest !  I  come  with  purpose  to  consult 

*  "  Tiresias,  if  he  can  counsel  tell 

'  "  How  I  to  rocky  Ithaca  may  go.  480 

1  "  For  not  yet  have  I  Greece  approached,  nor  yet 

*  "  Been  on  mine  own  land,  but  have  always  woes. 
1  "  Than  thou,  Achilles  !  none  more  fortunate, 

*  "  Either  of  former  or  of  after  men. 

'  "  Before,  while  living,  equally  with  Gods 

*  "  We  Grecians  honoured  thee  ;  among  the  dead    485 
Thou  rulest  now  ;  though  dead  do  not  repine." 

'  I  spake  :  and  he  forthwith  replied  and  said  ;■ 

o 


|      Li 


194  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI. 

'  "  Noble  Ulysses  !  make  not  light  of  death  ; 

i  ufcft  rather  be  a  serf,  another's  slave, 

■  "  And  be  a  landless  man,  of  substance  smalk"* 

1  "  Than  be  the  king  of  all  departed  deadww^ 

1  "  But  tell  me  tidings  of  my  noble  son, 

1  "  If  as  a  chief  he  followed  to  the  war  : 

'  "  Tell  me  if  aught  of  Peleus  thou  hast  heard  : 

'  "  Holds  he  his  state  yet,  'mid  the  Myrmidons  1     495 

1  "  In  Hellas,  Phthia,  do  they  him  despise, 

1  "  Because  old  age  afflicts  his  hands  and  feet  1 

*  "  In  the  sun's  rays  I  was  not  there  to  aid, 

'  "  Such  as  I  once  was  when,  in  spacious  Troy 
1  "  The  Greeks  protecting,  I  the  chief  men  slew.      500 
'  "  If  for  one  moment  to  my  father's  house 
'  "  I  such  had  gone  I  would  have  made  them  rue, 
'  "  Each  one  his  prowess  and  his  unchecked  hands, 
'  "  Who  violently  keep  him  from  his  state." 
i  He  spake,  but  I  addressed  him  in  reply : 
'  "  Of  noble  Peleus  I  have  nothing  heard ;  505 

'  "  But  of  thy  dear  son,  Neoptolemus, 
4  "  I,  as  thou  bidd'st,  will  tell  thee  all  the  truth. 
'  "  I  in  a  hollow  equal  ship,  myself 
'  "  Brought  him  from  Scyros  to  the  well-greaved  Greeks. 
'  "  When  we  took  counsel  round  the  city,  Troy,       510 
'  u  He  ever  spoke  the  first,  nor  erred  in  words ; 
'  "  Nestor  divine  and  I  alone  excelled. 
'  "  When  on  the  Trojans'  plain  with  sword  we  fought, 

*  "  Not  in  the  crowd  of  men  he  stayed,  but  rushed, 

'  "  Yielding  to  none  in  valour,  to  the  front,  515 

'  "  And  slaughtered  many  in  the  dreadful  fight. 
'  "  I  could  not  all  of  them  recite  or  name, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI.  195 

"  What  men  he  slew  when  fighting  for  the  Greeks  : 

"  So  with  the  sword  the  son  of  Telephus, 

"  Eurypylus,  he  slew  (and  many  friends  520 

"  From  Cetos  round  him,  for  a  woman's  gifts), 

"  Memnon  except,  the  fairest  man  I've  seen. 

"  When  to  the  horse  at  which  Epeus  toiled 

"  We  bravest  Argives  went,  to  me  was  all 

"  In  charge,  [the  door  to  open  and  to  close,]  525 

"  The  other  chiefs  and  leaders  of  the  Greeks 

"  Wiped  tears  away,  and  trembled  in  their  limbs  : 

"  But  him  I  never  with  my  eyes  beheld 

"  Paling  his  fair  complexion,  nor  a  tear 

"  From  his  cheeks  wiping ;  but  he  prayed  me  much 

"  To  quit  the  horse :  he  grasped  his  sword  and  spear,530 

"  And  planned  destruction  to  the  men  of  Troy. 

"  When  Priam's  lofty  city  we  destroyed, 

"  Back  to  the  ships  with  share  of  prey  he  went 

"  Unscathed,  not  stricken  by  a  brazen  spear,  535 

"  Nor  in  close  combat,  as  oft  haps  in  war 

"When  Mars  embroils  the  medley  of  the  fight." 

1 1  spake  :  the  soul  of  swift  ^Eacides 
Strode  grandly  o'er  the  lilied  lawn,  in  joy, 
At  what  I  told  him  of  his  valiant  son.  540 

The  other  souls  of  the  departed  dead 
Stood  sad,  and  asked  me  of  their  relatives. 
The  soul  of  Ajax,  son  of  Telamon, 
Stood  off  apart,  enraged  that  I  had  gained 
A  conquest  o'er  him,  when  we  had  a  suit  545 

About  Achilles'  armour  at  the  ships ; 
His  venerable  mother  offered  it, 
Minerva  and  the  sons  of  Troy  adjudged. 


19G  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI. 

'  Would  that  I  had  not  conquered  in  such  strife, 

'  For  therefore  earth  detained  a  man  like  him, 

1  Ajax,  who  far  excelled  in  form  and  deeds  550 

'  The  other  Greeks,  next  Peleus'  noble  son. 

'  And  him  I  thus  with  honeyed  words  addressed : 

1 "  0  Ajax  !  son  of  noble  Telamon  ! 

i  u  \yert  thou  not  ready  to  forget  thy  wrath, 

*  "  Even  when  dead,  for  those  accursed  arms  555 

*  "  Which  to  the  Greeks  the  Gods  have  made  a  bane  1 
1 "  Thou,  such  a  tower  to  them,  wert  destroyed ; 

1 "  For  thee  wTe  Greeks  wrere  in  excessive  grief, 
'"As  were  we  for  Achilles,  Peleus'  son, 
4  "  When  dead ;  but  no  one  else  was  blamable 
' "  But  Jove,  who  bore  excessive  enmity  560 

1 "  To  the  Greek  army,  and  brought  fate  on  thee. 
1 "  But  hither  come,  0  king !  to  hear  my  words ; 
1  M  Subdue  thine  anger  and  thy  noble  soul." 
1 1  spake  ;  but  he  made  no  reply,  and  went 

*  After  the  other  souls  to  Erebus. 

1  He  might  have  spoken,  though  enraged,  to  me,      5G5 

*  Or  I  to  him,  but  in  my  breast  my  mind 
'  The  souls  of  other  dead  desired  to  see. 

'  There  I  saw  Minos,  Jove's  illustrious  son, 

1  Holding  a  golden  sceptre,  to  the  dead 

1  Dispensing  justice  as  he  sate,  and  they, 

'  Sitting  and  standing  rouud  the  king,  required        570 

'  His  judgments  in  wide-gated  Pluto's  house. 

1  Orion  next  of  giant  size  I  saw, 

'  Driving  the  wTild  beasts  on  the  lilied  mead, 

1  Which  in  the  solitary  hills  he  slew, 

1  Holding  a  brazen  strong  club  in  his  hands.  575 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XI.  197 

1  And  I  saw  Tityos,  the  son  of  Earth  j 

*  Stretched  on  the  plain  he  o^er  nine  acres  lay  : 
4  Upon  each  side  of  him  two  vultures  sate, 

1  Who  tore  his  heart  and  on  his  vitals  preyed. 
4  He  with  his  hands  could  not  repel  them ;  he 
4  Had  to  Latona,  concubine  of  Jove,  580 

*  As  through  the  lovely  plains  of  Panopeus 
4  She  went  to  Pytho,  offered  violence. 

4  Then  I  saw  Tantalus,  afflicted  much, 

4  In  water  standing  which  approached  his  chin  ; 

4  He  thirsting  eager  stood  but  could  not  drink. 

4  Oft  as  the  old  man  longed  to  drink  and  stooped,   585 

4  So  oft  the  water  would  retire  (black  earth 

4  Shewed  at  his  feet)  for  the  God  dried  it  up. 

'  And  leafy  trees  poured  fruit  from  o'er  his  head, 

4  Pears  and  pomegranates  and  the  apple-trees 

4  With  shining  fruit,  sweet  figs  and  olives  green.      590 

4  When  them  the  old  man  stretched  his  hands  to  grasp, 

4  To  the  dark  clouds  the  winds  would  bear  them  off. 

4  Then  I  saw  Sisyphus,  afflicted  much, 

4  Who  heaved  a  huge  stone  up  with  hands  and  feet, 

4  And  straining  urged  it  to  the  mountain's  crest :     595 

4  When  it  was  just  about  to  reach  the  top 

4  With  overpow'ring  force  it  turned  again, 

4  And  rolled  impetuous  to  the  plain  below. 

'  Painfully  back  he  thrust  it ;  from  his  limbs 

4  Sweat  flowed,  and  from  his  head  a  dust  arose.        600 

4  Then  I  perceived  the  noble  Hercules, 

*  A  phantom  only ;  he  among  the  Gods 
4  Is  feasting  and  has  Hebe  for  his  wife, 

4  [Of  Jove  and  golden-sandalled  Juno  child.] 


198  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XI. 

4  Shrieks  of  the  dead  were  round  him,  as  of  birds,    605 
4  On  all  sides  cow'ring ;  he,  like  gloomy  night, 
4  Holding  a  naked  bow  with  arrow  fixed 
4  Upon  the  string,  was  peering  awfully, 

*  And  seeming  ever  in  the  act  to  shoot. 

'  Terrific  was  the  ceinture  round  his  breast ; 

4  A  belt  of  gold,  where  works  divine  were  wrought  ;610 

'  Bears,  and  wild  boars,  and  lions  with  bright  eyes, 

1  Fights,  battles,  murders,  slaughterings  of  men. 

4  He  who  devised  it  never  should  devise 

'  Another,  he  who  planned  that  belt  by  art. 

4  He  knew  me,  when  he  saw  me  with  his  eyes,  615 

4  And  weeping  spoke  to  me  these  winged  words : 

'  "  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

c  u  "Wretched  !  dost  thou  drag  on  that  woeful  fate 

4  "  Which  when  beneath  the  sun's  rays  I  have  dragged  1 

4  "  Of  Jove,  the  son  of  Saturn,  I  was  son,  620 

1  "  And  yet  had  woes  unnumbered  ;  to  a  man 

4  "  Far  my  inferior  I  was  assigned 

4  "  As  servant ;  on  me  labours  hard  he  laid, 

1  "  And  sent  me  hither  to  bring  off  the  dog, 

4  44  Nor  thought  of  other  task  more  hard  than  this. 

4  44 1  seized  and  bore  him  off  from  Pluto's  house  ;     625 

4  44  Hermes  and  blue-eyed  Pallas  aided  me." 

4  Thus  speaking  Pluto's  house  he  went  within ; 
4  But  I  stood  firm,  to  see  if  any  one 

•  Of  heroes  who  had  died  before  would  come. 

4  And  I  should  men  of  former  days  have  seen,  630 

4  Whom  e'er  I  willed,  Theseus,  Pirithous, 

4  Jove's  noble  sons  ;  but  of  the  dead  had  come 

'  Unnumbered  nations  with  an  awful  noise, 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XII.  199 

*  And  pale  fear  seized  me  lest  the  Gorgon's  head, 

'  That  dreadful  monster,  noble  Proserpine  635 

1  Should  send  from  Hades :  to  the  ship  I  went 
'  Forthwith,  and  bade  my  friends  to  go  on  board 

*  And  loose  the  mooring  ropes  with  speed  ;   they  went 

*  On  board  the  ship,  and  on  the  benches  sate : 

-  The  current  bore  them  down  the  ocean's  stream  ; 
1  The  oars  at  first,  then  a  propitious  breeze  !  640 


BOOK     XII. 


*  But  when  the  ship  had  left  the  ocean's  stream 

*  And  reached  the  surges  of  the  wide-wayed  sea, 
1  And  the  ^Esean  island,  where  the  homes 

'  And  dancing-places  of  the  new-born  dawn 

*  Are  placed,  and  where  's  the  rising  of  the  sun, 

'  Arrived,  we  drew  our  ship  up  on  the  sand,  5 

'  And  disembarked  upon  the  shore  ourselves ; 

I  And  slumb'ring  there  we  waited  for  the  dawn. 
'  When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 

I I  sent  my  friends  before  to  Circe's  house    ^ 

*  To  bring  the  body  of  Elpenor  dead.  10 
'  Cutting  the  logs  where  highest  rose  the  shore, 

1  We  buried  him  with  grief  and  frequent  tears  ; 
'  But  when  his  body  and  his  arms  were  burned, 

*  We  piled  a  mound,  a  column  drew,  and  fixed 

*  An  oar  upon  the  summit  of  the  mound.  15 


200  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII. 

'  All  we  arranged  in  order,  nor  did  we, 

'  From  Hades  coming,  Circe's  eyes  escape. 

'  She  preparation  made ;  her  maids  with  her 

4  Brought  quickly  bread,  much  flesh,  and  bright  red 

wine ; 
'  And  standing  in  the  midst  the  Goddess  spoke  :        20 
4  "  Bold  men  !  who  living  went  to  Pluto's  house, 
4  "  Twice  dying,  while  all  other  men  die  once  ! 

*  "  But  come  ye,  eat  the  food  and  drink  the  wine, 
'  "  Staying  all  day ;  and  with  appearing  dawn 

4  "  Ye  shall  set  sail  and  I  will  show  the  way,  25 

'  "  And  tell  ye  all,  that  not  from  evil  plans 
4  "  By  sea  or  land  ye  may  encounter  woes." 

*  So  spake  she,  and  our  noble  mind  obeyed. 
4  All  day  we  feasted,  till  the  set  of  sun, 
1  On  flesh  abundant  and  delicious  wine.  30 

'  But  when  the  sun  went  down  and  darkness  came, 
'  They  slept  beside  the  cables  of  the  ship. 
'  Me  by  the  hand  she  took,  and  made  me  sit 
1  From  my  dear  friends  apart,  and  questioned  me, 
'  While  in  due  order  I  recounted  all.  35 

'  Then  venerable  Circe  to  me  said  : 
'  "  All  is  not  finished  yet ;  hear  what  I  say, 

*  "  Which  God  himself  will  to  thy  mind  recall. 

*  "  First  to  the  Sirens  thou  must  go,  who  all 
4  "•  Mankind  bewitch,  whoever  to  them  goes. 
4  "  Whoe'er  unwittingly  draws  near  and  hears 
'  "  The  Sirens'  voice,  by  him  nor  wife  nor  babes 
w  "  Will  stand,  when  home  returning,  and  rejoice. 

*  "  The  Sirens  sitting  in  a  mead  bewitch 
'  "  Him  with  sweet  strains  j  near  is  a  pile  of  bones 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII.  201 

*  "  Of  withered  men,  and  round  them  shrinks  the  flesh.45 
1  "  But  row  thou  past  them,  and  stop  up  the  ears 

*  "  Of  thy  companions,  melting  honeyed  wax, 

*  "  Lest  they  should  hear  j  but  if  thyself  wouldst  hear 

*  "  Let  thy  companions  bind  thee,  hands  and  feet,     50 
4  "  In  the  swift  ship,  upreared  against  the  mast, 

1  "  And  from  it  let  the  cords  be  tied  that  so 
'  "  The  Sirens'  voice  delighted  thou  mayst  hear. 
1  "  And  if  thou  pray'st  thy  friends  to  set  thee  free, 

■  "  Then  let  them  bind  thee  with  more  fast'nings  still. 

*  "  But  when  thy  friends  have  past  the  Sirens  rowed,5° 
'  "  I  will  not  any  more  at  length  explain 

1  "  Which  shall  thy  journey  be  ;  but  thou  thyself 

*  "  Deliberate,  and  I  will  speak  of  both. 

*  "  On  one  side  there  are  beetling  rocks ;  on  them 

'  "  The  wave  of  blue-eyed  Amphitrite  roars.  60 

*  "  The  blessed  Gods  call  them  the  Wanderers. 

1  "  By  that  way  not  e'en  birds  can  pass  ;  not  doves 
'  "  Which  the  ambrosia  bear  to  father  Jove. 

*  "  As  the  smooth  rock  takes  one  of  them  away, 

*  "  Jove  with  another  makes  the  number  full.  65 

*  "  No  ship  of  men  that  comes  there  e'er  escapes  ; 

*  "  But  the  sea's  waves  and  blasts  of  deadly  fire* 
'  "  Bear  off  ships'  planks  and  bodies  of  the  men. 

*  "  Past  this  but  one  sea-going  ship  has  sailed, 

*  "  Argo  world-famed,  that  from  ^Eetes  came  ;  70 

■  "  And  her  against  the  rocks  the  waves  had  struck 

*  "  If  Juno,  who  loved  Jason,  had  not  helped. 

1  "  There  are  two  rocks,  one  reaches  to  the  sky 

*  "  With  pointed  peak  which  a  blue  cloud  surrounds, 

*  Volcanic  fire. 


202  THE   ODYSSEY.  — BOOK    XII. 

'  "  Nor  ever  ebbs  away ;  nor  does  bright  air  75 

*  "  In  summer  or  in  autumn  touch  its  top  ; 
'  "  Nor  could  a  mortal  climb  it  or  o'er  pass, 
1  "  If  he  had  even  twenty  hands  and  feet. 

'  "  Smooth  is  the  rock  as  though  it  polished  were, 

1  "  And  in  the  midst  there  is  a  murky  cave,  80 

'  "  Turned  to  the  gloomy  Erebus ;  past  this, 

'  "  Noble  Ulysses  !  ye  may  guide  the  ship. 

'  "  Not  from  the  hollow  ship  a  youthful  man 

'  "  Could  with  a  bow-shot  reach  the  cave's  recess. 

'  "  Therein  dwells  Scylla,  shrieking  horribly ;  85 

'  "  [Her  voice  is  like  that  of  a  new-born  whelp] 

1  "  An  evil  monster ;  no  one  would  rejoice 

'  "  To  see  her,  though  it  were  a  God  that  saw. 

'  "  She  has  twelve  feet,  mis-shapen  tentacles ; 

'  "  Six  necks  of  length  enormous  j  and  on  each  90 

"'A  dreadful  head,  and  in  it  three-rowed  teeth, 

'  "  Many  and  close  set,  full  of  gloomy  death. 

'  "  Half  of  her  in  the  hollow  cave  is  sunk ; 

'  "  She  rears  her  heads  from  out  the  horrid  gulf, 

'  "  And  hunts  for  fishes,  peering  round  the  rock,        °5 

'  "  Dolphins  and  dog-fish,  or  a  whale  may  catch, 

1  "  Which  roaring  Amphitrite  num'rous  feeds. 

'  "  Past  her  no  sailors  with  their  ship  e'er  boast 

'  "  Unharmed  to  fly ;  she  seizes  with  each  head 

'  "  A  man,  and  bears  them  from  the  dark  p  rowed  ship.100 

*  "  The  other  rock,  but  lower  on  the  ground, 
1  "  Ulysses  !  thou  wilt  see  ;  the  two  are  near 

'  "  Each  other,  and  thou  couldst  an  arrow  shoot. 

*  "  A  great  wild  fig-tree,  flourishing  with  leaves, 

1  "  Is  on  it ;  dire  Charybdis  there  sucks  in  105 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XII.  203 

1  "  Black  water  ;  thrice  a  day  she  throws  it  up 

i  a  Thrice  sucks  it  in ;  0  dreadful  !  mayst  thou  not 

*  "  Hap  to  be  there  when  thus  she  sucks  it  in  ! 

i  "  Not  Neptune's  self  could  save  thee  from  the  woe. 

*  "  But  keep  near  Scylla's  rock,  and  past  it  row 

*  "  Thy  ship  with  speed  ;  'tis  better  thou  shouldst  losellO 
1  "  Six  of  thy  friends  than  lose  them  all  at  once." 

'  She  spake,  and  I  addressed  her  in  reply : 
1  "  Come,  Goddess  !  tell  me  truly,  if  I  can 
1  "  Deadly  Charybdis  flee  from,  and  repulse 
1  "  The  other  when  she  carries  off  my  friends." 

'  I  spake  :  the  Goddess  then  replied  and  said  :      1*5 
1  "  Audacious  man  !  are  warlike  deeds  and  toils 
1  "  Thy  care,  nor  yield'st  thou  to  th'  immortal  Gods  % 
6  "  No  mortal  she,  but  an  immortal  woe, 
'  "  Dread,  grievous,  savage  and  invincible  : 
'  "  No  fight  with  her ;  to  flee  from  her  is  best.         12° 
'  "  If  thou  could  st  arm  thyself  beside  the  rock 
'  "  She  would,  I  fear,  rush  on  thee  and  bear  off 
1  "  With  her  so  many  heads  as  many  men. 
'  "  But  row  thou  strongly  on,  and  with  loud  voice 
'  "  Upon  Cratbis,  Scylla's  mother,  call, 
1  "  Who  bore  her  a  calamity  to  men  ;  125 

'  "  She  will  restrain  her  from  another  swoop. 

*  "  To  the  Trinacrian  island  thou  wilt  come, 

*  u  Where  many  cows  and  fat  sheep  of  the  sun 

*  "  Are  feeding ;  seven  herds  of  cows,  of  sheep 
'"As  many  fair  flocks  ;  fifty  are  in  each  :  13° 
'  "  They  breed  not  nor  diminish  ;  Goddesses 

'  "  Their  shepherdesses  are,  the  fair-haired  nymphs 

*  "  Called  Phaethusa  and  Lampetia, 


204  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII. 

'  "  Whom  to  the  Sun  divine  Nesera  bore. 

4  "  When  them  their  venerable  mother  bore 

'  "  And  nurtured,  she  removed  them  far  to  dwell 

*  "  In  the  Trinacrian  island,  and  to  tend  135 
'  "  Their  father's  sheep  and  trailing-footed  cows* 

1  "  If  these,  consulting  thy  return,  thou  leav'st 
4  "  Unharmed,  ye  yet  to  Ithaca  may  go, 

*  "  Though  suffring  woes ;  but  if  thou  harmest  them 

*  "  Destruction  I  predict  to  ship  and  crew  :  140 
'  "  If  thou  escape  thyself,  thou  wilt  return 

1  "  Late,  miserably  losing  all  thy  friends." 
f  She  spake  and  golden-throned  Aurora  came  : 

*  The  Goddess  then  across  the  island  went, 
1  I  to  the  ship,  and  my  companions  urged 

*  To  go  on  board  and  loose  the  mooring-ropes.  145 

*  They  quick  embarking  on  the  benches  sate, 
1  [And  beat  the  sea  in  order  with  their  oars]. 
'  To  us  behind  the  ship  with  azure  prow 

'  A  favourable  breeze,  that  filled  the  sails, 

1  A  good  companion,  fair-haired  Circe  sent, 

1  A  dreadful  Goddess  with  a  human  voice.  150 

*  We  ranged  with  care  the  tackling  in  the  ship 

'  And  sate  ;  the  wind  and  steersman  drove  it  straight. 
'  Then  to  my  friends  with  grieving  heart  I  said  : 
1  "  My  friends  !  'tis  fit  not  one  nor  two  alone 

*  "  Should  know  the  prophecies  which  Circe  spake  :  155 

*  *'  I'll  tell  them,  that  or  knowing  we  may  die, 

*  "  Or  cautiously  may  death  and  fate  escape. 
'  "  She  first  of  all  commands  us  to  beware 

1  "  Of  the  divinely-sounding  Sirens'  voice 

*  "  And  flow'ry  meadow ;  me  alone  she  bids 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII.  205 

*  "  To  hear  their  voice  ;  but  bind  ye  me  with  cords  160 

*  "  Made  tight,  that  firmly  I  may  there  remain, 

*  "  Against  the  mast ;  thence  let  the  cords  be  tied. 
'  "  If  even  I  entreat  you  and  command 

*  "  To  set  me  free,  then  with  more  fast'nings  bind." 

'  Thus  to  my  friends  I  ev'rything  explained  :        «*6 

*  Meanwhile  the  well- wrought  ship  with  speed  approached 
1  The  Sirens'  isle,  for  a  fair  breeze  impelled. 

1  Then  ceased  the  wind  and  there  was  breathless  calm  ; 

*  The  Deity  had  lulled  the  waves  to  sleep. 

1  My  friends  uprising  furled  the  vessel's  sails,  170 

1  Placed  them  within  the  ship,  and  sate  to  row, 

1  Making  the  sea  white  with  their  polished  oars. 

'  I  with  sharp  sword  cut  up  a  lump  of  wax 

'  In  pieces  small,  and  pressed  them  with  firm  hands : 

*  The  wax  soon  melted,  for  the  force  and  ray  175 
1  Of  royal  Sun,  sprung  from  Hyperion, 

1  Compelled  ;  my  friends'  ears  I  in  order  stopped. 
1  They  bound  me  upright,  both  my  hands  and  feet, 
'  Against  the  mast  from  which  they  tied  the  cords, 
1  And  sitting  beat  the  white  sea  with  their  oars.       180 
1  When  I  was  distant  far  as  one  could  shout, 
i  In  rapid  course  the  swiftly-sailing  ship, 

*  As  it  rushed  near,  was  not  from  them  concealed  ; 
;  And  they  made  ready  an  harmonious  song  :* 

*  The  Sirens'  song  is  also  here  given  in  rhyming  hen- 
decasyllabic  metre  : 

•  Come  hither,  Ulysses  !  thou  man  of  renown  ! 

•  Thou  boast  of  the  Grecians  !  thy  vessel  bring  down 

*  To  hear  what  we  sing;  none  go  sailing  along 
'  Who  do  not  attend  to  our  honey-sweet  song, 


206  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII. 

'  "  Far-famed  Ulysses  !  glory  of  the  Greeks  ! 

'  "  Come  stay  thy  ship  and  listen  to  onr  song.  185 

1  "  No  one  e'er  passes  this  way  in  a  ship 

*  "  But  from  our  throats  our  honeyed  voice  he  hears  : 
'  "  Delighted  and  much  wiser  home  he  goes. 

*  "  How  Greeks  and  Trojans  by  the  Gods'  decree 

<  «  jn  Troy  have  laboured,  all,  we  know  it  all,  190 

'  "  Know  all  that  happens  on  the  fertile  earth." 

*  Thus  sang  they,  uttering  a  lovely  strain, 
'  And  my  heart  longed  to. listen  ;  with  my  brows 

*  I  signed,  and  bade  my  comrades  set  me  free : 

'  They  leaning  to  their  oars  rowed  on,  while  quick 

'  Rose  Perimedes  and  Eurylochus,  195 

1  And  with  more  ropes  they  bound  me  and  restrained. 

i  When  we  had  by  them  sailed,  nor  more  could  hear 

'  Either  the  Sirens'  voices  or  their  song, 

1  My  dear  companions  from  their  ears  withdrew 

'  The  wax  I  fixed,  and  loosed  me  from  my  bonds.     200 

'  When  we  had  left  the  island  we  descried 

'  Smoke  and  a  mighty  wave,  and  heard  a  sound. 

'  Down  from  their  hands  in  terror  fell  the  oars, 

'  And  sounded  in  the  flood  ;  the  ship  stood  still, 

'  For  they  the  tap'ring  oars  no  longer  plied.  205 

'  But  through  the  ship  I  went  and  urged  my  friends, 

'  Addressing  each  of  them  with  honeyed  words  : 

*  "  O  friends  !  we  are  not  ignorant  of  woes  : 

*  a  This  is  not  greater  than  when  Cyclops  once 


'  And  home  they  return  both  with  wisdom  and  joy  : 
'  How  the  Greeks  and  the  Trojans  have  laboured  at  Troy, 
'  By  the  Gods'  instigation,  we  know  it  all  well, 
■  And  all  that  may  happen  on  earth  we  can  tell.' 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XII.  207 

*  "  With  force  enclosed  us  in  a  hollow  cave  :  210 

*  "  Thence  by  my  valour  and  my  prudent  mind 

*  "  We  fled,  and  this  we  shall  remember  yet. 

*  "  Now  come,  and  as  I  bid  let  all  obey  : 

*  "  Upon  the  benches  sitting  with  your  oars 

*  "  Beat  the  deep  troubled  water,  if  but  Jove  215 
'  "  Grant  us  to  flee  from  this  destruction  too. 

1  "  And,  steersman  !  thus  I  charge  thee,  weigh  it  well, 
'  "  For  thou  dost  guide  the  rudder  of  the  ship  ; 

I  "  Keep  it  outside  those  breakers  and  that  smoke, 

*  "  And  hug  the  rocks,  lest  thither  unperceived        220 

*  "  It  drift  and  so  thou  bringest  us  to  grief." 

1 1  spake,  and  quickly  they  obeyed  my  words. 
'  Of  Scylla,  that  impracticable  ill, 

I I  spoke  not,  lest  my  friends  in  fear  should  cease 

*  From  rowing,  and  should  crowd  themselves  within. 

*  Then  Circe's  mortifying  order  I  225 

*  Neglected  wilfully,  for  she  forbade 

'  That  I  should  arm  myself;  but  putting  on 

1  My  sounding  armour,  handling  two  long  spears, 

* 1  mounted  on  the  fore-deck  of  the  ship. 

1  There,  till  the  rocky  Scylla  should  appear  230 

1  Who  brought  destruction  to  my  friends,  I  stayed, 

1  But  nowhere  could  I  see  her,  and  my  eyes 

1  Were  tired  with  gazing  at  the  gloomy  rock. 

1  We  dismally  sailed  up  the  water-gorge, 

1  Scylla  on  this,  Charybdis  on  that  side,  235 

1  Dreadfully  sucking  in  the  sea's  salt  wave. 

*  And  when  again  she  threw  the  water  forth, 

*  As  boils  a  cauldron  on  a  mighty  fire, 

*  She  bellowed  in  the  whirlpool,  and  the  foam 


208  THE    ODYSSF.Y. BOOK    XIL 

'  Fell  from  on  high  on  both  the  topmost  rocks. 

1  But  when  the  sea's  salt  water  she  sucked  in,  240 

*  All  in  a  whirl  within  she  seemed,  and  round 
'  The  rock  roared  horribly ;  and  underneath 

'  Earth  showed  dark  sand,  and  pale  fear  on  them  seized : 

'  To  her,  afraid  of  death,  we  turned  our  eyes. 

'  Scylla  the  meanwhile  from  the  ship  dragged  forth245 

'  Six  of  my  friends,  in  hands  and  strength  the  best. 

1  When  I  looked  in-board  to  my  friends,  I  saw 

1  Their  hands  and  feet  as  they  were  raised  on  high. 

*  Loudly  they  called  upon  me  and  pronounced, 

4  For  the  last  time,  my  name  with  grieving  heart.     250 

'  As  when  upon  a  rock  a  fisherman 

'  Throws  with  a  long  rod  to  the  little  fish 

1  His  crafty  baits,  and  plunges  in  the  sea 

{  A  hook,  the  horn  of  a  field-pastured  ox, 

*  Seizes  a  fish  and  drags  it  quiv'ring  forth, 

'  So  they  were  lifted  quiv'ring  to  the  rocks ;  255 

*  And  there  within  she  ate  them,  screaming  loud, 
'  Stretching  their  hands  to  me  in  struggle  dire. 

'  That  was  the  sight  most  pitiful  of  all 

'  Which  o'er  the  sea's  gulf  wand'ring  I  have  seen. 

'  When  we  escaped  the  rocks,  Charybdis  dire  260 

*  And  Scylla,  to  the  Sun's  famed  isle  we  came. 

'  There  were  the  beauteous  cows  with  foreheads  broad, 

*  And  many  fat  sheep  of  Hyperion  Sun. 

*  Still  in  the  black  ship  out  at  sea  I  heard 

*  The  lowing  of  the  cows  within  their  stalls,  265 
'  And  bleating  of  the  sheep ;  upon  my  mind 

'  The  warning  of  the  sightless  soothsayer, 
'  Theban  Tiresias,  and  Circe  fell, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII.  209 

*  Who  gave  me  many  orders  to  avoid 

'  The  island  of  the  men-delighting  Sun. 

1  Then  to  my  friends  with  grieving  hearts  I  said  :    270 

*  "  Hear  ye  my  words,  my  woe-enduring  friends ! 
1  "  That  of  Tiresias  the  prophecies, 

'  "  And  of  iEsean  Circe  I  may  tell, 

*  "  Who  gave  me  many  orders  to  avoid 

1  "  The  island  of  the  men-delighting  Sun  ; 

*  "  For  there  they  said  the  direst  woe  would  be  ;      275 
1  "  But  past  the  island  the  black  ship  compel." 

1  So  spake  I,  and  their  very  heart  was  crushed, 
1  And  fiercely  thus  Eurylochus  replied  : 

*  "  Ulysses  !  hard  thou  art,  pre-eminent 

1 "  In  mind ;  thy  limbs  are  all  of  iron  made,  280 

'  "  Who  suff'rest  not  thy  friends,  though  overwhelmed 
1  "  WTith  toil  and  sleep,  upon  the  land  to  go, 

*  "  Where  in  the  sea-girt  isle  we  might,  prepare 
'  "  A  dainty  feast,  but  bid'st  us  still  to  roam, 

i  "  Through  night  that  comes  on  swiftly,  wandering 
1  "  Far  from  the  island  in  the  gloomy  sea.  285 

1  M  The  winds,  of  ships  the  bane,  by  night  are  strong  ; 
'  "  How  could  one  sad  destruction  e'er  escape, 

*  "  If  on  a  sudden  came  a  storm  of  wind, 

1  "  Notus  or  Zephyr,  with  unfav'ring  blast, 

'  "  Which  spite  of  kingly  Gods  destroy  a  ship  ?         290 

'  "  But  let  us  rather  now  obey  black  night, 

*  "  Prepare  a  feast  and  by  the  swift  ship  stay, 

*  "  And  in  the  morn  embarking  put  to  sea." 

'  So  spake  Eurylochus  ;  the  rest  approved; 
1  And  then  I  knew  that  Cod  was  planning  ills,         295 
'  And  I  addressed  him  with  these  winged  word 


210  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XII. 

'  "  Eurylochus  !  ye  force  me  to  comply, 

'  "  Me  thus  alone  ;  but  come  and  swear  to  me 

1  "  A  mighty  oath  that,  if  we  find  a  herd 

'  "  Of  cows  or  flock  of  sheep,  not  one  of  you 

'  "  Will  rashly  either  cow  or  sheep  destroy,  300 

1  "  But  eat  in  peace  the  food  which  Circe  gave." 

1 1  spoke,  and  as  I  bade  they  took  the  oath  : 
'  When  they  had  sworn  and  made  the  oath  complete, 
*  We  in  a  hollow  harbour  stayed  the  ship,  305 

1  Near  to  fresh  water :  from  the  ship  my  friends 
'  Went  forth,  and  skilfully  prepared  a  feast. 
'  But  when  for  drink  and  food  their  appetite 
1  They  satisfied,  they  weeping  called  to  mind 
'  Their  friends,  whom  Scylla  taking  from  the  ship   310 
'  Devoured,  and  sleep  came  on  them  as  they  wept. 
1  When  'twas  the  night's  third  watch,  and  now  the  stars 
'  Had  changed  their  courses,  cloud-compelling  Jove 
'  In  a  strong  tempest  urged  a  blust 'ring,  wind, 
1  Cov'ring  at  once  the  earth  and  sea  with  clouds, 
'  And  from  the  sky  the  night  came  rushing  down.  315 
'  When  early  rosy -fingered  morn  appeared, 
'  We  beached  and  dragged  the  ship  within  a  cave  : 
1  There  the  nymphs'  dancing-places  were  and  homes. 
'  Then  I  assembled  and  addressed  them  all  : 
'  "  My  friends  !  within  the  ship  are  food  and  drink  ;320 
'  "  Lest  ills  we  suffer  keep  we  from  the  cows, 
'  "  For  to  a  dread  God  cows  and  sheep  belong, 
'  "  The  Sun,  who  all  things  overlooks  and  hears." 

'  So  spake  I,  and  their  noble  mind  agreed. 
'  A  whole  month  Notus  ceaseless  blew  ;  except         325 
'  Eurus  and  Notus  blew  no  other  wind. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII.  211 

1  As  long  as  they  had  food  and  wine,  so  long 

'  They  from  the  cows,  though  eager  still  for  food, 

1  Abstained  ;  but  when  all  ship's  provisions  failed 

'  Perforce  they  wandered,  trying  to  get  food,  3"° 

'  Fish,  birds,  whatever  to  their  hands  might  come, 

'  With  crooked  hooks  :  their  stomachs  hunger  vexed. 

1  I  up  the  island  went  apart  to  pray 

1  The  Gods,  if  one  would  point  out  my  return. 

'  When  through  the  island  going  and  my  friends     3$5 

'  Avoiding,  where  was  shelter  from  the  wind, 

'  Washing  my  hands,  I  prayed  to  all  the  Gods 

*  Who  in  Olympus  dwell ;  they  poured  sweet  sleep 
'  Upon  my  eyes.     Meanwhile  Eurylochus 

'  Began  an  evil  counsel  to  my  friends  :  340 

*  "  Companions  !  though  afflicted,  hear  my  words  : 
'  "  All  deaths  are  sad  to  miserable  men  ; 

1  "  To  die  by  hunger  saddest  of  them  all. 

'  "  Come  let  us  drive  the  best  cows  of  the  Sun, 

4  "  And  to  the  Gods  who  in  the  wide  sky  dwell 

'  "  Do  sacrifice.     If  e'er  to  Ithaca,  845 

*  "  Our  native  land,  we  go,  we  will  erect 
1  "  To  the  Hyperion  Sun  a  temple  rich, 

*  "  And  off  rings  good  and  many  place  therein. 

1  "  If  for  the  straight-horned  cows  enraged,  he  will 
'  "  Destroy  the  ship,  and  other  Gods  assent, 
1  "  I'd  rather  swallow  once  the  wave  and  die,  360 

1  "  Than  in  a  desert  isle  be  squeezed  in  drops." 

1  So  spake  Eurylochus  ;  my  other  friends 
1  Agreed,  and  drove  the  best  cows  of  the  Sun 
1  From  near,  for  from  the  dark-prowed  ship  the  cows 
4  Not  far  were  feeding,  fair  with  foreheads  broad.      85fi 


212  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII. 

'  They  stood  around  and  made  pray'rs  to  the  God, 
'  Plucking  the  soft  leaves  of  a  high-branched  oak, 
1  For  they  no  barley  had  within  the  ship. 

*  When    they    had    made    the  pray'rs  and    slain  and 

flayed, 
'  They  cut  the  thighs  off,  covered  them  with  fat      560 
1  In  double  folds,  and  placed  raw  meat  thereon. 
'  Upon  the  burning  sacrifice  no  wine 
1  Had  they  to  pour ;  but  they  with  water  made 
1  Libation,  and  the  entrails  roasted  all. 

*  But  when  the  thighs  were  burned,  the  inward  parts 

'  They  tasted,  cut  the  rest,  and  fixed  on  spits.  866 

'  Then  from  my  eyelids  sweet  sleep  rushed  away, 
'  And  to  the  swift  ship  and  sea-shore  I  went. 
'  While  I  was  going  and  approached  the  ship, 
'  The  sav'ry  smell  of  roast  meat  round  me  came, 

*  And  to  th'  immortal  Gods  I  groaning  cried  :  370 
'  "  0  father  Jove  !  and  ye  immortal  Gods  ! 

*  "  In  cruel  sleep  ye've  lulled  me  to  my  woe. 

*  "  My  friends  remaining  have  a  great  deed  planned." 

'  Quick  to  the  Sun  the  nymph  Lampetia 
1  Went  with  the  news  that  we  had  slain  the  cows.    375 
1  With  angry  heart  th'  immortals  he  addressed  : 
'  "  0  father  Jove  !  and  ye  immortal  Gods  ! 
'  "  Do  of  Ulysses,  Laertiades, 
'  "  Punish  the  friends ;  for  they  with  violence 

*  "  Have  killed  the  cows,  in  which  I  took  delight 

'"  As  I  was  going  to  the  starry  sky  3S0 

*  "  And  when  I  turned  back  from  the  sky  to  earth. 

*  "  Unless  due  penalty  they  pay,  I'll  go 

*  "  To  Hades,  and  will  shine  among  the  dead." 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII.  213 

1  The  cloud-compelling  Jove  replied  and  said  : 

*  "  Sun  !  shine  thou  still  among  th'  immortal  Gods,  385 
'  "  And  mortal  men  upon  the  fertile  earth  : 

*  "  Soon  their  swift  ship  with  shining  thunderbolt 

*  "  I'll  strike  and  shiver  in  the  gloomy  sea." 

1  [This  from  fair-haired  Calypso  I  had  heard ; 

1  Herself,  she  said,  heard  it  from  Mercury.]  390 

1  But  when  I  to  the  ship  and  sea  had  come 

*  They  each  on  each  threw  earnestly  the  blame, 

*  Nor  could  we  find  escape ;  the  cows  were  dead. 

*  Forthwith  to  them  the  Gods  showed  prodigies  ; 

*  Hides  crawled  about ;  flesh  bellowed  on  the  spits,  395 
1  Both  roast  and  raw  ;  the  roar  was  that  of  cows, 

*  Six  days  my  friends  were  feasting  since  they  drove 
1  The  Sun's  fair  cows  ;  but  when  Jove,  Saturn's  son, 
1  Had  sent  the  seventh  day,  the  hurricane 

*  Had  ceased,  and  we,  embarking,  put  to  sea,  400 

*  Rearing  the  mast  and  stretching  canvas  white. 
1  When  we  had  left  the  island,  and  appeared 

*  No  other  land,  but  only  sky  and  sea, 

*  The  son  of  Saturn  placed  an  azure  cloud  405 
4  Above  the  hollow  ship  ;  the  sea  grew  dark 

*  Beneath  it,  and  the  ship  made  little  way ; 
'  For  Zephyr,  raging  with  a  mighty  storm, 

1  Came  quick ;   the  wind's  force  both  the  fore-stays 

broke ; 
'  The  mast  fell  back ;  the  tackling  in  the  hold  410 

*  All  lay  confusedly ;  upon  the  stern 

'  It  struck  the  steersman's  head,  and  all  at  once 

*  Fractured  the  skull ;  he  like  a  diver  fell 

*  From  off  the  deck,  and  the  life  left  his  bones. 


214  THE    ODYSSEY.  —BOOK    XII. 

'  Jove  at  the  same  time  thund'ring  struck  the  ship  415 
4  With    light' ning;    when    with    light'ning  struck,  it 

reeled, 
4  Filled  with  sulphureous  vapour ;  from  the  ship 
'  My  friends  fell  off,  and  floated  on  the  waves 
'  Like  gulls;  the  Gods  prevented  their  return. 
'  I  through  the  ship  went  pacing  till  the  wave         420 
'  Broke  from  the  keel  the  sides,  and  bore  it  off 
4  All  bare,  and  snapped  the  mast  off  at  the  keel. 

*  But  to  the  mast  a  back-  stay  had  been  fixed, 
4  Made  of  the  hides  of  oxen  ;  and  with  this 

4  I  lashed  the  two  together,  keel  and  mast,  425 

'  And  sitting  on  them  was  by  fierce  winds  blown. 

'  Then  Zephyr  ceased  with  hurricane  to  blow, 

4  And  Notus  quickly  came  and  caused  me  grief ; 

4  For  I  to  dread  Charybdis  must  return. 

4  Drifting  all  night  I  with  the  rising  sun  *3fl 

'  To  Scylla  and  the  dread  Charybdis  came. 

4  The  sea's  salt  water  she  was  sucking  in ; 

4  But  to  the  tall  wild  fig-tree  reaching  high 

4  I,  like  a  bat,  clung  on,  but  had  not  place 

'  Either  to  fix  my  feet  firm  or  to  step.  435 

4  The  roots  were  distant,  far  the  boughs  removed, 

4  High,  large,  Charybdis  over-shadowing. 

'  Firmly  I  held  till  she  threw  back  again 

4  The  mast  and  keel,  which  came  at  last  to  me 

4  Eagerly  waiting.     What  time  one  gets  up  440 

4  To  supper  from  the  forum,  many  suits 

1  Of  youthful  litigants  determining, 

*  So  long  the  beams  were  ere  they  re-appeared 
4  From  out  Charybdis.     I  my  hands  and  feet 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XII.  215 

1  Let  down,  and  midway  on  the  long  beams  plunged 

*  Beside  me,  and  sate  rowing  with  my  hands. 

'  [Scylla  Jove  suffered  not  to  see  me,  else  445 

'  I  should  not  have  escaped  from  dreadful  death]. 

1  Nine  days  I  drifted ;  to  th'  Ogygian  isle 

'  On  the  tenth  night  the  Gods  impelled  me  ;  there 

1  Fair  haired  Calypso  dwells,  a  Goddess  dread 

'  With  human  voice,  who  kindly  treated  me. 

'  But  why  my  tale  prolong  ]  for  yesterday  4")0 

'  I  told  it  to  thee  and  thy  noble  wife 

'  Within  thine  house ;  I  hate  to  tell  again 

'  What  I  have  carefully  before  detailed^ 


THE     ODYSSEY 


BOOK     XIII. 


He  spake  j  they  all  in  perfect  silence  sate, 
And  were  spell-bound  within  the  shady  halls. 
To  him  Alcinous  replied  and  said : 

*  Ulysses  !  since  thou  to  my  house,  with  floor 
'  Of  brass  and  lofty  roof  adorned,  hast  come, 

*  I  think  thou  wTilt  not  a  mere  wand'rer  go  5 

*  On  thy  return,  though  much  thou  hast  endured. 
1  This  urgently  I  say  to  each  of  you 

'  Who  in  my  halls  bright  wine  of  honour  quaff 

f  Continually,  and  listen  to  the  bard  : 

1  Vests  for  the  stranger  in  a  polished  chest  10 

1  Are  laid,  and  much-wrought  gold,  and  other  gifts 

1  Which  the  Phseacian  counsellors  have  brought : 

*  Come,  let  each  man  of  us  a  tripod  large 

1  And  cauldron  give  him ;  we  will  give  them  back 
1  In  an  assembly ;  for  'twere  hard  that  one 

*  A  largess  by  himself  alone  should  give.'  15 

So  spake  Alcinous :  his  words  pleased  well, 
And  to  their  home  went  each  of  them  to  sleep. 
When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 

VOL.    II.  B 


2  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII. 

They  hasted  to  the  ship,  and  with  them  bore 

Man-aiding-brass  :  the  sacred  majesty 

Of  king  Alcinous,  who  went  himself  20 

On  board,  beneath  the  benches  ranged  them  well, 

Lest  they  obstruct  the  crew  when  quick  they  rowed. 

They,  going  to  Alcinous'  abode, 

Prepared  a  feast.     The  sacred  majesty 

Of  king  Alcinous  had  sacrificed 

An  ox  to  cloud-compelling  Jove,  the  son  25 

Of  Saturn,  who  is  ruler  over  all. 

Burning  the  thighs,  upon  the  noble  feast 

They  fed  delighted ;  and  Demodocus, 

The  bard  divine,  by  all  men  honoured,  sang. 

Oft  to  the  sun  Ulysses  turned  his  head, 

Longing  for  sun-set,  eager  to  return.  30 

As  for  his  supper  pines  a  man,  for  whom 

Two  black  steers  all  day  through  a  fallow  ground 

Have  dragged  a  solid  plough,  and  welcome  sets 

The  sun's  light  that  to  supper  he  may  go, 

And  his  knees  pain  him  as  he  goes  along ; 

So  to  Ulysses  welcome  set  the  sun.  35 

He  quickly  the  Phseacians,  fond  of  oars, 

And  specially  Alcinous,  addressed  : 

1  0  king  Alcinous  !  the  people's  chief ! 

*  When  ye  have  made  libation,  on  my  way 

'  Send  me  unharmed,  and  ye  !  0  fare  ye  well ! 

*  All  that  my  mind  desires  is  now  complete,  40 
'  Convoy  and  friendly  gifts,  which  may  the  Gods 

'  Make  prosp'rous  !  may  I  find  on  my  return 

'  My  blameless  wife  at  home  with  friends  unharmed  ! 

'  May  ye  delight  your  virgin-wedded  wives 


THE  ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII.  6 

■  And  children,  here  remaining  !  may  the  Gods  45 

1  Grant  ev'ry  good,  nor  ill  befall  the  state  ! ' 

He  spoke  :  they  all  approved  and  gave  command 
To  send  the  stranger,  for  he  well  had  said. 
Alcinous  the  herald  then  addressed  : 
'  Mix  in  the  bowl,  Pontonous  !  the  wine,  50 

*  And  pour  it  out  for  all  within  the  house, 

*  That,  having  offered  prayer  to  father  Jove, 

*  We  to  his  native  land  the  guest  may  send.' 

He  spake  :  Pontonous  the  sweet  wine  mixed, 
And  gave  to  all  successively  :  they  made 
To  the  blest  Gods,  who  in  thejwide  sky  dwell,  55 

Libation,  rising  from  their  seats  :  then  rose 
Divine  Ulysses,  and  the  double  cup 
Placed  in  Arete's  hands,  and  her  addressed  : 
1  Farewell,  0  queen  !  farewell  unceasingly 

*  Till  age  and  death,  the  lot  of  all,  arrive  !  60 
'  I  am  returning ;  mayst  thou  here  delight 

'  In  children,  people,  king  Alcinous  ! ' 

Ulysses  spoke  and  o'er  the  threshold  went. 
Alcinous  a  herald  with  him  sent 

To  lead  him  to  the  swift  ship  and  the  shore.  65 

Arete  sent  with  him  her  female  slaves, 
One  with  a  well- washed  tunic  and  a  cloak ; 
Another  sent  a  heavy  trunk  to  bear  j 
And  food  and  ruddy  wine  another  brought. 
These,  when  they  to  the  ship  and  sea  had  come,        70 
The  noble  crew  received,  and  quick  bestowed 
Within  the  ship,  and  all  the  drink  and  food. 
Then  for  Ulysses  on  the  deck  they  spread 
A  rug  and  linen,  that  upon  the  deck 


4  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII. 

He  undisturbed  might  sleep  :  he  went  on  board         75 

And  silent  lay ;  they  on  the  benches  sate 

In  order ;  from  the  pierced  stone  loosed  the  rope, 

And,  leaning,  with  the  oar-blade  beat  the  sea, 

While  soft  upon  his  eye-lids  slumber  fell, 

Unwaking,  sweetest,  most  resembling  death.  80 

The  ship,  as  four-yoked  horses  o'er  the  plain, 

All  urged  together  by  the  scourge's  blows, 

Up-stepping  high  with  ease  their  journey  make, 

So  rose  her  prow  aloft ;  there  rushed  behind 

A  wave,  great,  purple,  of  the  swelling  sea.  85 

Safe,  steadily  she  ran  ;  nor  falcon-hawk, 

Of  birds  the  swiftest,  could  have  followed  close. 

Thus  swiftly  running  she  the  sea- waves  cut, 

Bearing  a  man  with  counsels  like  the  Gods, 

Who  in  his  mind  had  suffered  many  griefs  90 

And  wars  of  men,  and  passed  o'er  dreadful  waves : 

Sleeping  secure  his  sufferings  he  forgot. 

When  rose  that  brightest  star,  who  comes  to  tell 

News  of  the  early-born  Aurora's  light, 

Then  the  sea-going  ship  approached  the  isle.  95 

There  is  in  Ithaca  a  certain  port, 

Sacred  to  Phorcys,  old  man  of  the  sea : 

Two  jutting  shores  precipitous  are  there, 

Inclining  to  the  port,  which  outside  give 

A  shelter  from  the  high  winds'  mighty  swell ; 

Within  the  well-benched  ships  remain  unmoored,     100 

When  to  the  harbour's  limit  they  have  come. 

A  long-leaved  olive  at  the  port's  head  stands, 

And  near  it  a  delightful  shady  grot, 

Held  sacred  to  the  nymphs  called  Naiades. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII.  > 

Therein  are  cups  and  vessels,  formed  of  stone,  105 

And  there  the  bees  their  honey  store  away. 

There  are  long  looms  of  stone,  whereon  the  nymphs 

Weave  their  sea-purple  robes,  a  sight  to  see. 

There  waters  ever  flow ;  two  doors  are  there, 

One  to  the  north,  descendible  by  men  j  1 10 

The  other  to  the  south,  more  sacred ;  there 

No  mortals  enter ;  'tis  the  path  for  Gods. 

Therein  they  drove,  well-knowing  it  before, 

And  on  the  shore  the  ship  ran  half  its  length 

With  speed,  for  it  by  such  mens'  hands  was  urged.  115 

They,  going  from  the  well-benched  ship  ashore, 

First  bore  Ulysses  from  the  hollow  ship, 

Both  with  the  linen  and  the  shining  rug, 

Then  laid  him  on  the  sand  subdued  by  sleep, 

And  lifted  out  the  treasures,  which  to  him, 

Home,  by  magnanimous  Minerva's  aid,  120 

Returning,  th'  excellent  Phseacians  gave. 

These  at  the  olive's  root,  beyond  the  path, 

They  placed  together,  lest  some  way-farer, 

Before  Ulysses  woke,  should  injure  them. 

Then  homeward  they  returned ;  but  Neptune  still 

The  threats  forgat  not  which  he  made  against  125 

Divine  Ulysses,  but  Jove's  counsel  asked : 

'  Jove  !  father  1  I  shall  no  more  honoured  be 
'  Among  the  Gods,  when  men  dishonour  me, 
'  Phseacians,  who  from  mine  own  race  are  sprung.    130 
1  E'en  now  I  said  Ulysses  should  return 
'  Home,  having  suffered  much  calamity  : 
'  I  did  not  altogether  take  from  him 
'  Return,  since  thou  didst  promise  it  and  grant, 


b  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII. 

'  But  they  have  brought  him,  sleeping,  in  a  ship 

'  Across  the  sea,  and  placed  in  Ithaca, 

*  And  given  many  gifts,  both  brass  and  gold  135 

1  In  great  abundance,  woven  vests  besides, 

6  Many,  and  such  as  never  e'en  from  Troy 

'  Ulysses  would  have  taken,  had  he  come 

'  Unharmed  from  Troy,  and  gained  his  share  of  spoil.' 

Him  cloud -compelling  Jove  addressed,  and  said : 
'  What  hast  thou  said,  0  Neptune  !  ruling  wide  ?    140 
'  The  Gods  do  not  dishonour  thee  ;  'twere  hard 
'  They  should  insult  the  oldest  and  the  best. 
'  If  any  man,  on  violence  and  strength 
6  Relying,  does  not  honour  thee,  thou  hast 
'  Always  revenge  thereafter.     As  thou  wilt 
'Do  thou,  and  as  is  pleasing  to  thy  mind.'  145 

Earth-shaking  Neptune  then  to  him  replied : 
'  Soon  would  I  do,  0  thou  by  clouds  enwrapped ! 
'  As  thou  advisest ;  but  I  hold  in  awe 
'  And  shun  thine  anger  :  now  I  would  destroy 
4  The  beauteous  ship  of  the  Phseacians 
'  Returned  from  escort  on  the  gloomy  sea,  150 

'  That  from  escorting  men  they  may  refrain, 
'  And  a  great  mountain  close  their  city  round.' 
i  Him  cloud-compelling  Jove  addressed  and  said  : 
6  Good  friend  !  thus  seems  it  to  my  mind  the  best ; 
6  When  from  the  city  all  behold  the  ship  155 

'  Urged  on,  to  turn  it  near  the  land  to  stone, 
'  Like  a  swift  ship,  that  all  may  be  amazed, 
c  And  a  great  mountain  close  their  city  round.' 

When  Neptune,  shaker  of  the  earth,  heard  this, 
He  went  to  Scheria,  where  Phseacians  live  ;  160 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII.  7 

There  staid  he,  and  the  sea-borne  ship  approached, 

Making  swift  way.     The  shaker  of  the  earth 

Drew  near  and  made  it  stone  ;  with  hand  laid  flat 

He  rooted  it  beneath,  and  went  his  way. 

Then  the  long-oared  Phaeacians,  famed  for  ships, 

To  one  another  spoke  with  winged  wrords  ;  165 

And  thus  one,  looking  to  his  neighbour,  said  : 

*  Alas  !  who  has  enchained  upon  the  sea 

*  The  home-bound  ship  1  just  now  it  all  appeared.' 
Thus  some  one  spake,  nor  knew  they  what  was  done. 
Alcinous  harangued  them  thus  and  said  :  170 
1 0  sad  !  my  father's  oracles  of  old 

'  Are  come  upon  me,  who  was  wont  to  say 
(  That  Neptune  had  of  us  much  jealousy, 

*  Because  of  men  we  safe  conductors  were. 

*  He  said  that  he  a  very  beauteous  ship  175 

*  Of  the  Phseacians,  some  time,  coming  home 

*  From  escort  on  the  gloomy  sea  would  wreck, 
1  And  a  great  mountain  close  our  city  round. 

1  Thus  spake  the  old  man  :  all  is  now  fulfilled. 

*  Come,  let  us  all  obey  as  I  command ; 

*  Cease  from  conveying  men,  when  to  our  town         180 

*  One  comes,  and  sacrifice  twelve  chosen  bulls 
c  To  Neptune,  if  compassion  he  may  take, 

1  Nor  a  high  mountain  close  our  city  round.'  f 

He  spake ;  they  trembled  and  prepared  the  balls. 
Thus  the  Phaeacian  chiefs  and  leaders  prayed  185 

To  royal  Neptune,  round  the  altar  placed. 
But  the  divine  Ulysses  woke  from  sleep 
In  his  paternal  land,  yet  knew  it  not 
Now  absent  long,  for  round  him  poured  a  cloud 


8  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIII. 

Pallas  Minerva,  Goddess,  child  of  Jove,  190 

To  keep  him  hidden,  and  to  tell  him  all, 

And  that  nor  wife,  nor  citizens,  nor  friends 

Should  recognize  him,  ere  he  vengeance  took 

Upon  the  suitors  for  their  violence. 

So  all  things  to  the  king  seemed  different : 

The  long-continued  roads,  the  shelt'ring  ports,        195 

The  sun-beat  rocks,  and  trees  that  flourished  there. 

He  rising  stood  and  saw  his  native  land  : 

He  uttered  then  a  groan,  and  struck  his  thighs 

With  down-turned  hands,  and  thus  lamenting  spoke  : 

'  Ah  me  !  to  what  men's  country  am  I  come  I  200 

'  Are  they  unruly,  savage  and  unjust, 

1  Or  kind  to  strangers,  and  of  mind  devout  1 

1  Whither  this  much  wealth  shall  I  carry  1  where 

1  Am  I  a  wand'rer  ?  would  I  had  remained 

'  With  the  Phseacians  I  to  some  other  king  205 

'  I  might  have  gone,  who  would  have  treated  me 

'  Kindly,  and  giv'n  an  escort  to  return. 

*  I  know  not  where  to  place,  nor  here  may  leave 
'  This  wealth,  lest  it  to  others  be  a  prey. 

1  Ah  !  not  in  all  things  were  the  ruling  chiefs 

1  Of  the  Phseacians  or  wise  or  just,  210 

*  Who  have  conveyed  me  to  another  land, 
'  Yet  promised  they  to  sunny  Ithaca 

1  Would  bring  me,  but  have  done  it  not :  may  Jove, 
'  The  suppliant's  God,  who  looks  on  other  men 
'  And  punishes  the  sinner,  vengeance  take  ! 
'  But  I  will  reckon  up  my  wealth  and  see  215 

1  If  they  have  taken  aught  and  sailed  away.' 
He  spake,  and  counted  up  the  tripods  fair, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII.  9 

The  cauldrons,  gold,  and  beauteous  woven  vests. 

Not  one  he  missed  :  then  his  paternal  land 

He  mourned  for,  creeping  by  the  loud  sea's  shore,    220 

And  wailing  much.     Minerva  near  him  came 

Like  a  young  man,  a  shepherd,  in  her  form, 

All  delicate,  as  are  the  sons  of  kings, 

Having  a  double  well-wrought  cloak  around 

Her  shoulders,  sandals  on  her  shining  feet,  225 

And  in  her  hand  a  spear.     Ulysses  joyed 

To  see  her,  and  advancing  thus  addressed  : 

1  Friend  !  since  I  find  thee  in  this  country  first, 

'  Hail  thou  !  and  meet  me  not  with  evil  mind. 

'  These  goods  and  me  preserve ;  as  to  a  God  230 

*  I  pray  to  thee,  and  thy  dear  knees  approach, 
1  And  tell  me  truly  this  that  I  may  know  ; 

*  What  land  1  what  people  this  3  who  here  are  born  *? 
'  Is  it  some  sunny  island,  or  some  shore, 

'  Sea-ward  inclined,  of  the  rich  continent  ? '  235 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  answered  him  : 

*  Thou  'rt  foolish,  stranger  !  or  hast  come  from  far, 

*  Since  of  this  land  thou  askest ;  for  indeed 
1  It  is  not  nameless,  many  know  it  well, 

1  Both  those  who  tow'rd  the  dawn  and  sun  abide,     240 

*  And  who  dwell  backward  to  the  gloomy  west. 
'  'Tis  rough,  and  is  not  traversed  by  the  horse ; 
1  Not  very  barren,  though  not  widely  spread  : 

*  Wheat  is  abundant  in  it ;  there  is  wine, 

1  And  ever  rain  and  fertilizing  dew  245 

'  Come  down ;  'tis  good  to  feed  the  goat  and  ox  : 
1  Wood  of  all  kinds  and  lasting  streams  there  are. 
'  So  then  the  name  of  Ithaca  has  reached, 


10  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIII. 

1 0  stranger  !  e'en  to  Troy,  which  men  report 
'  Is  from  the  Grecian  land  removed  afar.' 

She  spoke  :  long-suffering  Ulysses  joyed,  250 

Delighted  with  his  father-land,  as  said 
Minerva,  child  of  segis-bearing  Jove ; 
And  in  reply  he  spoke  these  winged  words, 
Nor  spoke  the  truth,  but  turned  his  tale  aside, 
Ever  revolving  craft  within  his  breast :  255 

'  I  heard  of  Ithaca  in  spacious  Crete, 
'  Far  o'er  the  sea,  and  now  myself  am  come 
'  With  these  possessions.     I  a  fugitive 
1  Have  to  my  children  left  as  much  behind ; 
'  For  I  have  slain  Idomeneus'  dear  son, 
1  The  swift  Orsilochus,  who  in  wide  Crete  260 

i  Excelled  inventive  men  with  rapid  feet, 
1  Because  he  wished  to  rob  me  of  the  prey 
1  Gained  all  in  Troy,  for  which  within  my  mind 
'  I  suffered  sorrows,  both  the  wars  of  men 
i  And  traversing  sad  waves,  because  in  Troy 
i  I  would  not  with  my  service  gratify  265 

'  His  father,  but  was  chief  o'er  other  friends. 

I  Him,  from  the  country  as  he  came,  I  struck 
'  With  brazen  spear,  with  a  companion  placed 
'  In  ambush  near  the  road ;  the  dusky  night 

'  Possessed  the  heaven,  nor  did  any  one 

'  Perceive  us,  but  concealed  I  took  his  life.  270 

*  But,  after  I  had  slain  him  with  my  sword, 

I I  to  th'  illustrious  Phoenicians  went 

'  On  board  a  ship,  and  supplicated  them, 

1  And  gave  them  booty  to  delight  their  mind  : 

*  Passage  to  Pylos  of  them  I  desired, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII.  11 

1  Or  divine  Elis,  where  th'  Epeans  rule.  275 

'  But  the  wind's  violence  repulsed  them  thence 
1  Against  their  will,  nor  meant  they  to  deceive. 

*  Wand'ring  from  thence  we  hither  came  by  night. 
1  We  rowed  within  the  port  with  haste,  nor  made 

1  Mention  of  supper,  though  our  need  was  great ;     280 

*  But  disembarking  lay  at  random  down. 

*  Sweet  slumber  came  upon  me  there  fatigued  : 

*  They  took  my  goods  from  out  the  hollow  ship, 

'  And  placed  them  near  where  on  the  sand  I  lay : 

'  Embarking  to  Sidonia  they  went,  285 

'  But  I  afflicted  in  my  heart  was  left.' 

He  spoke  :  Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  smiled 
And  stroked  him  with  her  hand  :  she  made  herself 
In  figure  like  a  woman,  beautiful, 
Large,  skilful  splendid  works  to  execute, 
And  spoke,  addressing  him  with  winged  words  :        290 

*  Cunning  and  crafty  he  who  in  all  wiles 

*  Should  over-reach  thee,  though  a  God  should  come. 

*  Hard  man  !  of  varied  plans,  insatiable 

1  In  tricks,  thou  art  not  one  who  would  desist, 

'  Not  even  in  thine  own  land,  from  deceits 

1  In  words  and  wiles,  which  from  thy  birth  thou  lov'st : 

'  But  let  us  speak  no  more  of  this,  for  both  295 

*  Are  skilled  in  cunning ;  thou  the  best  of  men 

1  In  schemes  and  words ;  and  I  among  the  Gods 

*  Am  famed  for  counsels ;  yet  thou  knew'st  me  not, 

*  Pallas  Minerva,  child  of  Jupiter,  300 

*  Who  always  by  thee  stand,  and  in  all  toils 
1  Protect  thee,  and  to  the  Phseacians 

1  Made  thee  a  friend  ;  and  now  am  hither  come 


12  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII. 

1  To  weave  some  counsel  with  thee,  and  conceal 

'  The  wealth  which  th'  excellent  Phseacians  gave 

1  To  thee  by  my  desire  returning  home  ;  305 

1  To  tell  thee  of  the  troubles  which  'tis  fate 

'  That  thou  shouldst  suffer  in  thy  well-built  house  ; 

'  And  thou  perforce  must  bear  them,  nor  must  tell 

1  To  any  one  of  man  or  woman-kind 

1  How  wand 'ring  thou  hast  come,  but  silent  bear 

*  Much  grief,  enduring  violence  of  men.'  310 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  : 

*  Goddess  !  'tis  hard  for  mortal  man  who  meets 
1  To  recognize  thee,  e'en  though  wise  he  be, 

1  For  thou  tak'st  ev'ry  form  j  but  this  I  know, 

1  That  thou  before  wert  ever  kind  to  me, 

'  When  we,  the  sons  of  Greece,  made  war  in  Troy.    315 

I  When  Priam's  lofty  city  we  had  sacked 

*  And  sailed  away,  and  God  dispersed  the  Greeks, 

I I  saw  thee  not,  Jove's  daughter  !  nor  perceived 

*  Thee  come  on  board  to  drive  my  griefs  away. 

*  [I  wandered,  having  an  afflicted  heart,  320 
1  Until  the  Gods  released  me  from  my  woes  ; 

'  And  in  the  rich  Phseacian  land  thyself 

'  With  words  didst  cheer  and  bring  me  to  their  town.] 

*  Now  by  thy  sire  I  pray  thee,  (for  I  think 

'  I  have  not  come  to  sunny  Ithaca,  325 

'  But  wander  in  some  other  land,  while  thou 
'  Say'st  it  in  mock'ry  to  deceive  my  mind ;) 
'  Say  if  I  truly  to  my  home  am  come.' 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  answered  him : 

*  Such  ever  is  the  thought  within  thy  breast ;  330 
'  Therefore  I  cannot  leave  thee  in  thy  woe, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII.  13 

*  Man  as  thou  art  of  words,  and  shrewd  and.  wise. 
1  For  any  other  man,  who  glad  returned 

1  From  wand'ring,  would  be  eager  to  behold 

*  Within  his  house  his  children  and  his  wife ; 

*  But  thee  it  pleases  not  to  know  or  ask  335 
4  Ere  thou  hast  tried  thy  wife  who  in  thine  house 

'  Sits  in  distress  ;  and  mournful  nights  and  days, 

*  While  she  is  ever  weeping,  wear  away. 
1  This  never  I  mistrusted,  but  I  knew 

*  That,  losing  all  thy  friends,  thou  wouldst  return : 

*  Yet  wished  I  not  with  Neptune  to  contend,  340 
1  My  father's  brother,  who  was  wroth  with  thee, 

1  Enraged  because  his  dear  son  thou  didst  blind. 

1  But  to  convince  I'll  shew  thee  Ithaca  : 

1  This  is  of  Phorcys,  old  man  of  the  sea,  345 

*  The  port,  and  this  the  olive  at  its  head. 
1  [And  near  it  the  delightful  shady  grot, 

■  Held  sacred  to  the  nymphs  called  Naiades.] 

*  This  is  the  vaulted  cave,  where  thou  wert  wont 

'  Many  whole  hecatombs  to  give  the  nymphs ;  350 

1  This  Neriton,  a  mountain  clothed  with  wood.' 

Thus  spake  the  Goddess  and  dispersed  the  mist : 
The  land  was  plain  to  him ;  and  then  rejoiced 
Patient  divine  Ulysses,  charmed  to  see 
His  own  dear  land,  and  kissed  the  fertile  plain.        355 
Then  to  the  nymphs,  with  hands  upreared,  he  prayed : 
'  Jove's  daughters  !  Naiad  nymphs  !  I  never  thought 
1  To  see  you  :  favour  now  my  loving  vows  : 
\  We  will  give  off'rings,  even  as  before, 
'  If  the  spoil-driving  child  of  Jove  permit 
'  Myself  to  live  and  prosper  my  dear  son.'  360 


14  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII. 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  him  addressed  : 
'  Be  bold,  nor  be  this  to  thy  mind  a  care. 
1  Now  in  the  corner  of  the  cave  divine 
'  Let  us,  that  safe  they  be,  these  goods  bestow, 
'And  counsel  take  how  things  may  best  be  done.'    365' 

The  Goddess  speaking  thus  retired  within 
The  cavern  dark  to  seek  a  hiding-place  : 
Near  her  Ulysses  brought  them  all,  the  gold 
And  the  unyielding  brass,  and  well-made  vests, 
Which  the  Phseacians  gave,  and  placed  them  well;  370 
And  Pallas,  child  of  asgis-bearing  Jove, 
Minerva,  set  against  the  door  a  stone. 
They,  sitting  near  the  sacred  olive's  root, 
Against  the  haughty  suitors  plotted  death. 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  thus  the  speech  began  : 
1  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  !  375 

6  Deliberate  how  thou  mayst  lay  thine  hands 
'  Upon  the  shameless  suitors,  who  are  lords 
1  Now  for  these  three  years  o'er  thine  house,  and  woo 
'  Thy  godlike  wife  and  give  her  spousal  gifts. 
6  She,  mourning  in  her  mind  for  thy  return, 
1  Gives  hopes  to  all,  gives  promises  to  each  j  380 

'  Sends  messages,  but  other  things  designs.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said : 
<  0  Gods  !  I  surely  was  about  to  die, 
'  As  Agamemnon,  son  of  Atreus,  died, 
'  By  evil  fate  within  my  house,  if  thou, 
*  0  Goddess  !  hadst  not  all  things  rightly  told.  335 

'  But  weave  a  plan  how  I  may  punish  them  : 
'  Stand  by  me  and  bold  confidence  implant, 
'  As  when  we  ravaged  Troy's  bright  battlements. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK  XIII.  15 

'  If,  blue-eyed  one  !  thou  wouldst  stand  ready  near, 

*  I  could  against  three  hundred  men  contend,  390 

*  With  thee,  dread  Goddess  !  if  thou  wouldst  assist.' 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  answered  him : 

*  I  will  indeed  stand  by  thee,  nor  shalt  thou 
'  Be  hidden  from  me  when  we  have  prepared 

1  These  things ;  and  of  the  suitors  who  devour 

1  Thy  substance  some  one  will,  I  think,  pollute         395 

'  The  spacious  pavement  with  his  blood  and  brains. 

*  Now  will  I  render  thee  unknown  by  all ; 

1  Wrinkle  the  fair  flesh  on  thy  pliant  limbs ; 

'  Destroy  the  yellow  hair  upon  thy  head ; 

1  Clothe  thee  in  rags,  which  he  who  sees  will  loathe ; 

'  Bedim  thine  eyes  so  beautiful  before,  400 

'  That  to  the  suitors  thou  mayst  mean  appear, 

'  To  wife  and  child  whom  thou  hast  left  at  home. 

1  But  go  thou  to  the  swine-herd  first  of  all, 

'  Who  tends  thy  swine  and  has  kind  thoughts  to  thee, 

*  Who  loves  thy  son  and  wise  Penelope.  405 

*  Thou  'It  find  him  sitting  by  the  swine ;  they  feed 
'  Near  Corax'  rock  at  Arethusa's  fount, 

1  Eating  sweet  acorns,  drinking  water  dark, 

1  Which  in  the  swine  abundant  fat  produce.  410 

1  There  stay,  and  sitting  by  him  all  enquire, 

*  While  I  to  Sparta,  famed  for  women  fair, 
'  Will  go,  to  call  thy  son  Telemachus, 

*  Who  to  wide  Lacedsemon  went,  to  ask 

'  Of  Menelaus  news  if  still  thou  liv'st.'  415 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her :  *  But  why 
'  Didst  thou  not  tell  him  %  thou  who  knowest  all  1 
1  Was  it  that  he  too,  wand'ring  o'er  the  sea, 


16  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIII. 


/       '<T 


Might  suffer  griefs  while  others  spoil  his  goods  1 ' 
Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  answered  him  :  420 

Let  him  not  be  too  much  within  thy  mind: 
1 1  guided  him  myself,  that  he  might  go 
1  And  gain  there  fair  renown.     He  now  endures 
'No  trouble,  but  in  Menelaus'  house 

*  Sits  quiet,  and  abundance  near  him  lies. 

'  With  a  black  ship  indeed  in  ambush  lie  435 

*  Young  men  who  seek  to  kill  him,  ere  he  comes 
'  To  his  paternal  land ;  yet  not,  I  think, 

1  Will  do  it  ere  the  earth  shall  cover  some   , 
8  Of  suitors  who  thy  property  consume.' 

Minerva,  speaking,  touched  him  with  her  rod ; 
Wrinkled  the  fair  flesh  on  his  pliant  limbs ;  430 

Destroyed  the  yellow  hair  upon  his  head ; 
Round  all  his  members  placed  an  old  man's  skin ; 
Bedimmed  his  eyes,  so  beautiful  before  ; 
A  diff'rent  ragged  garment  and  a  cloak 
Put  round  him,  sordid,  with  foul  smoke  begrimed ;  435 
O'er  him  a  swift  deer's  hairless  hide  she  threw ; 
Gave  him  a  staff  and  an  unseemly  scrip, 
All  torn,  and  on  it  was  a  twisted  thong. 
Thus  having  planned  they  parted ;  she  forthwith 
To  Sparta  went,  to  fetch  Ulysses'  son.  440 


BOOK      XIV. 


Forth  from  the  port  he  climbed  the  rugged  path, 
Up  to  the  woody  country  through  the  heights, 
Where  Pallas  told  him  that  the  swineherd  was, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV.  17 

Who  of  the  servants  whom  Ulysses  had 

Of  his  possessions  took  the  greatest  care. 

He  found  him  sitting  in  the  portico,  5 

Where  in  a  far-seen  place  his  lodge  was  built, 

High,  fair  and  great,  detached,  which  for  the  swine 

The  swineherd,  when  the  king  departed,,  built, 

(Nor  did  his  mistress  nor  Laertes  know) 

With  gathered  stones,  and  topped  it  up  with  thorns.  10 

Stakes  here  and  there  he  drove  outside  all  round, 

Close,  frequent,  having  cleft  the  heart  of  oak. 

Within  the  lodge  twelve  swinecotes  he  had  made, 

Near  to  each  other  placed,  as  beds  for  swine. 

In  each  were  fifty  grov'lling  swine  enclosed,  15 

Brood  females ;  but  the  males  were  lodged  without, 

Much  fewer,  since  the  suitors  ate  them,  and  reduced 

The  number  :  for  the  swineherd  always  sent 

To  them  the  best  of  all  the  well-fed  swine  : 

But  there  three  hundred  still  and  sixty  were.  20 

Four  dogs,  like  wild  beasts,  always  near  them  slept, 

And  these  the  worthy  swineherd  had  brought  up. 

He  then  was  fitting  saudals  to  his  feet, 

Cutting  a  fair  ox-hide ;  the  rest  had  gone 

Their  diff 'rent  ways  ;  three  with  the  herded  swine  ;  25 

The  fourth,  compelled,  he  to  the  town  had  sent 

For  the  proud  suitors  to  convey  a  swine, 

To  kill  it  and  content  their  mind  with  flesh. 

Quickly  the  barking  dogs  Ulysses  saw 

And  with  loud  cry  rushed  on  :  Ulysses  sate  30 

With  wariness,  the  staff  fell  from  his  hand. 

He  in  his  own  lodge  would  have  suffered  woe 

Unseemly,  but  the  swineherd  with  swift  feet 


18  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV. 

Rushed  to  the  porch ;  the  hide  fell  from  his  hand ; 
And  rating  drove  in  diff  'rent  ways  the  dogs  35 

With  frequent  stones,  and  thus  addressed  the  king : 

'  The  dogs  had  nearly  killed  thee,  aged  man  ! 
'  Thus  suddenly,  and  me  thou  wouldst  have  blamed. 
1  The  Gods  have  giv'n  me  other  griefs  and  groans : 
1  Wailing  and  mourning  for  my  godlike  king  40 

*  I  sit,  and  feed  fat  swine  for  other  men 
1  To  eat,  «while  he  perhaps  in  want  of  food 
'  Is  wand'ring  somewhere  o'er  the  land  and  town 
'  Of  foreign  men,  if  yet  he  is  alive, 
1  And  sees  the  sun  ;  but  follow  me,  old  man  !  45 

'  And  let  us  go  within  the  lodge,  that  thou, 
'  When  thou  art  satisfied  with  food  and  wine, 
1  Mayst  tell  me  whence  thou  art,  and  what  thy  woes. ' 

The  worthy  swineherd  spoke  and  led  the  way 
Within,  and  made  him  sit ;  thick  rushes  strewed, 
And  o'er  them  spread  a  shaggy  wild  goat's  hide,        50 
A  large  thick  couch  for  him  :  Ulysses  joyed 
That  he  received  him  so,  and  thus  addressed  :       )fyS 

c  May  Jupiter  and  the  immortal  Gods 
'  Grant  thee,  mine  host !  whatever  thou  mayst  wish, 
'  Because  with  kindness  thou  hast  welcomed  me  ! ' 

Swineherd  Eumaeus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  :  55 

1  Stranger  !  'twould  not  be  right,  if  one  should  come 
'  More  wretched  e'en  than  thou,  to  treat  with  scorn 
'  A  stranger ;  for  from  Jove  all  men  proceed, 
'  Strangers  and  beggars  :  small  indeed  but  kind 
'.Our  gift ;  for  such  the  way  of  servants  is, 
'  Who  always  fear  whene'er  young  masters  rule.         60 
'  The  Gods  have  hindered  the  return  of  him 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIV.  19 

'  Who  would  have  loved  me  and  have  goods  bestowed, 

'  Such  as  a  kind  lord  to  his  servant  gives, 

1  (A  house,  allotment,  and  a  much-wooed  wife) 

*  Who  labours  much  while  God  has  sped  his  toil,        65 

*  As  he  has  sped  the  toil  on  which  I  wait. 

'  Thus  would  my  lord  have  kindly  done  to  me 
*■  If  he  had  here  grown  old,  but  he  is  dead. 

*  Would  that  all  Helen's  race  thus  utterly 

'  Had  died,  for  she  the  knees  of  many  loosed  * 

1  And  he  too  went  for  Agamemnon's  fame  70 

*  To  well-horsed  Troy,  with  Trojan  men  to  fight.' 

He  spake,  and  quickly  girded  up  his  cloak, 
And  to  the  styes  wherein  the  swine  were  shut 
He  went,  took  two,  and  brought  and  killed  them  both ; 
Singed,  cut  them  up,  and  fixed  them  on  the  spits,     75 
Koasted,  and  by  Ulysses  set  them  all 
Hot,  with  the  spits  themselves,  and  strewed  white  meal, 
And  mingled  sweet  wine  in  an  ivy  bowl ; 
Sate  fronting  him,  and  urging  thus  addressed : 

*  Now,  stranger  !  eat  such  food  as  servants  have, 

*  Mere  pigs ;  fat  swine  the  suitors  eat,  who  ne'er        so 
'  Of  retribution  or  of  pity  think. 


The  blessed  Gods  approve  not  reckless  works, 
'  But  honour  justice  and  good  deeds  of  men. 
'  On  enemies  and  lawless  men  who  go  85 

*  On  strangers'  lands,  to  whom  Jove  booty  gives, 

*  Who  homeward,  having  filled  their  ships,  return— 

*  On  them  strong  fear  of  retribution  falls. 

1  But  these  men  must  know  something,  and  have  heard 

1  Some  voice  of  God  about  his  mournful  death  ; 

'  And  so  they  will  not  either  fairly  woo  90 


20  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV. 

*  Or  to  their  own  homes  go,  but  recklessly, 
1  By  force,  unsparingly  destroy  his  goods. 

'  As  many  days  and  nights  as  come  from  Jove, 

*  Victims,  not  one  or  merely  two,  they  slay, 

'  And  violently  draw  and  waste  the  wine.  95 

'  His  substance  truly  was  immense  ;  to  none 
'  Of  heroes,  either  on  the  mainland  dark 
'  Or  Ithaca  itself,  so  much  belonged ; 

*  Not  twenty  men  together  have  such  wealth. 

*  I  will  recount  it.     On  the  continent 

1  There  are  twelve  herds  ;  as  many  flocks  of  sheep,  100 

1  As  many  herds  of  swine,  as  many  flocks 

1  Of  goats,  his  hirelings  and  his  herdsmen  feed. 

1  Eleven  large  flocks  of  goats  are  feeding  there 

1  On  the  land's  end,  which  good  men  overlook. 

'  Each  of  them  ev'ry  day  conveys  one  home,  105 

c  Which  of  the  fatted  goats  appears  the  best. 

'  These  swine  I  guard  and  keep ;  the  best  of  all, 

'  When  I  have  chosen  well,  I  send  to  them.' 

He  spake  :  Ulysses  quickly  ate  the  meat, 
And  eagerly  in  silence  drank  the  wine, 
And  for  the  suitors  meditated  woes.  110 

When  he  had  supped  and  braced  his  mind  with  food, 
Eumseus  filled  the  cup  from  which  he  drank 
Himself,  and  gave  it  to  him  brimmed  with  wine : 
With  joy  he  took  it,  and  addressed  him  thus : 

*  Who  was  it,  friend  !  so  rich  and  powerful,  115 

'  Who  bought  thee,  as  thou  tellest,  with  his  wealth  ? 
1  Thou  say'st  he  died  for  Agamemnon's  fame. 

*  Tell  me,  if  I  perchance  such  man  may  know  ; 
1  For  this  Jove  knows  and  the  immortal  Gods, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XIV.  21 

'  If  I  have  seen  him  and  could  tidings  give, 

'  Since  I  have  wandered  over  many  lands.'  120 

To  him  the  swineherd,  chief  of  men,  replied  : 
1  Old  man  !  no  wanderer  with  news  could  come, 

*  Who  would  his  wife  and  his  dear  son  persuade  ; 
1  But  wand'ring  fellows,  seeking  after  food, 

'  Speak  lies  in  vain,  nor  wish  to  tell  the  truth.  vi~> 

1  Whatever  vagrant  comes  to  Ithaca 

*  Goes  to  my  mistress  and  false  stories  tells  : 
1  Well  she  receives  him,  kindly  entertains, 

1  Puts  many  questions  and  sheds  tears  the  while, 

'  A  woman's  wont  whose  husband  far  off  dies.  130 

*  Thou,  too,  old  man !  would st  quickly  forge  a  tale 
1  If  one  a  cloak  and  tunic  would  bestow. 

1  Already  from  his  bones  swift  birds  and  dogs 

*  Have  torn  away  the  skin,  and  life  has  fled  ; 

'  Or  fishes  in  the  sea  have  eaten  him,  135 

1  And  on  the  shore  his  bones  lie  wrapt  in  sand  : 
1  So  has  he  perished,  and  to  friends  behind, 
'  And  specially  to  me,  are  sorrows  caused. 
'  No  other  lord  so  gentle  shall  I  find ; 
1  E'en  to  my  father's  and  my  mother's  house  140 

'  Were  I  to  go,  where  I  was  born  and  bred. 
'Nor  weep  I  so  for  them,  howe'er  I  wish 
'  To  see  them  in  my  own  paternal  land, 
1  As  now  Ulysses  absent  I  regret. 
'Stranger!     With  reverence  I  name  him,  though 
1  Not  present,  for  he  loved  and  cared  for  me  ;  145 

1  Whom,  far  away,  I  elder  brother  call.' 
To  him  long-suffering  Ulysses  said  : 

*  Friend  !  since  thou  putt'st  it  from  thee,  and  still  sayst 


22  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV. 

'  That  he  will  not  return,  and  since  thy  mind  150 

'  Is  unbelieving,  not  with  words  I  say, 

'  But  with  an  oath,  Ulysses  will  return. 

1  For  my  good  tidings  let  there  guerdon  be  : 

'  Forthwith,  as  soon  as  to  his  home  he  comes, 

'  [With  vest  and  tunic  clothe  me,  garments  fair]. 

1  Before,  though  needy,  I  would  nothing  take.  155 

'  Hateful  to  me  as  Hades'  gates  is  he 

'  Who  yields  to  poverty  and  falsehood  tells. 

1  First,  of  the  Gods  let  Jove  a  witness  be, 

'  This  hospitable  table,  and  the  hearth 

*  Of  famed  Ulysses  unto  which  I  come, 

'  All  this  shall  be  accomplished  as  I  say  :  \qq 

1  In  this  same  year  Ulysses  shall  return. 
1  [When  this  month  wanes  and  when  the  next  arrives, 
1  Home  he  will  come,  and  vengeance  take  on  him 
'  Who  here  insults  his  wife  and  noble  son.]' 

Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thus  thou  didst  reply  : 
1  Old  man  !  for  news  no  guerdon  shall  I  pay, 
'  Nor  will  Ulysses  to  his  home  return. 
1  Drink  thou  in  peace,  and  let  us  other  things 
'  Discuss,  nor  these  to  my  remembrance  call : 

*  For  surely  in  my  breast  my  mind  is  grieved  170 
'  When  any  mention  of  the  good  king  make. 

*  We  will,  indeed,  omit  the  oath :  but  may 
'  Ulysses  come,  as  I,  Penelope, 

1  Laertes  and  Telemachus  desire  ! 

'  Now  for  the  boy  I  weep  incessantly, 

'  Telemachus,  whose  sire  Ulysses  is. 

'  For  him  the  Gods  have  nourished  like  a  plant.        175 

*  I  thought  he  would  not  be  inferior, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV.  23 

'  (For  form  and  stature,  among  men  admired), 

1  To  his  dear  father  :  some  one  of  the  Gods 

'  Or  men  has  injured  his  well-balanced  mind, 

'  For  he  is  gone  for  tidings  of  his  sire 

'  To  sacred  Pylos  ;  but  ere  home  he  comes  180 

1  The  suitors  lie  in  ambush,  that  the  race 

'  May  perish  of  divine  Arcesias 

'  From  Ithaca,  and  be  without  a  name. 

1  But  we  will  leave  him  :  him,  if  he  be  caught 

1  Or  he  escape,  may  Saturn's  son  protect ! 

'  But  come,  old  man  !  and  thine  own  woes  relate,     185 

'  And  tell  me  truly  this,  that  I  may  know ; 

i  Who  and  whence  art  thou  1  where  thy  city  %  where 

1  Thy  parents?  in  what  ship  thou  hither  cam'st  1 

'  How  thee  the  sailors  brought  to  Ithaca? 

1  Who  do  they  boast  to  be  ?  for  not,  I  think, 

1  Couldst  thou  at  all  have  hither  come  by  land  !' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 
4 1  will  then  truly  all  these  things  relate. 

*  If  we  had  food  and  wine  to  last  as  long 

'  Within  thy  lodge,  and  quietly  could  feast 

'  While  others  did  the  labour,  not  with  ease  195 

'  In  a  whole  year  could  I  completely  tell 

*  The  sorrows  of  my  soul  j  how  much  in  all 

*  By  instigation  of  the  Gods  I've  borne. 

'  From  the  broad  Crete  I  boast  my  race  to  be  5 

'  A  rich  man's  son  :  and  many  other  sons  200 

'  Were  in  his  palace,  both  brought  up  and  born 

*  From  his  own  wife  legitimate  ;  but  me 
'  A  purchased  mother  bore,  a  concubine. 

*  Yet  Castor,  Hylas'  son,  whose  child  I  am, 


24  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV. 

'  Honoured  me  as  he  did  his  true-born  sons. 

'  He  was  among  the  Cretans  as  a  God,  205 

'  Respected  by  the  people  for  his  wealth, 

1  For  his  prosperity  and  famous  sons  ; 

'  But  death's  fates  bore  him  off  to  Pluto's  house, 

'  And  his  proud  sons  divided  and  cast  lots 

1  For  his  possessions  ;  but  to  me  they  gave 

'  A  very  little,  and  a  house  assigned.  210 

*  A  wife  I  married,  born  of  wealthy  men, 
'  By  reason  of  my  valour  ;  for  I  was 

'  Nor  vain  nor  cowardly  :  now  all  has  failed. 

'  Still  when  thou  see'st  the  straw  thou'lt  know,  I  think, 

*  [What  was  the  ear ;]  though  much  woe  weighs  me 

down.  215 

'  Mars  and  Minerva  gave  me  bravery, 
'  And  pow'r  to  break  men's  ranks  whene'er  I  chose 
'  The  best  men  for  an  ambush,  causing  ills 
'  To  foes  ;  nor  ever  did  my  noble  mind 
'  Set  death  before  my  eyes,  but  first  by  far 
'  I,  leaping  onward,  with  my  javelin  slew  220 

'  What  foemen  yielded  to  me  with  their  feet. 

*  In  war  such  was  I  j  not  by  me  was  loved 

1  Labour,  nor  household  thrift  which  nourishes 

'  Illustrious  children,  but  the  oar-urged  ships, 

1  Wars,  polished  spears  and  arrows,  mournful  things  225 

'  And  shuddered  at  by  others,  these  were  loved, — 

'  Were  loved,  for  these  the  Gods  placed  in  my  mind. 

*  For  diff'rent  men  are  pleased  with  diff'rent  deeds. 
'  Before  the  sons  of  Greece  embarked  for  Troy, 

'  Nine  times  o'er  men  and  rapid  ships  I  ruled  230 

'  Against  strange  men,  and  much  fell  to  my  share, 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIV.  25 

1  From  which  I  chose  what  pleased  me,  and  obtained 

'  Much  afterwards  by  lot,  and  speedily 

1  My  household  was  increased,  and  I  became 

'  Great  and  respected  by  the  Cretan  men. 

'  But  when  far-seeing  Jupiter  had  planned  235 

'  This  hateful  expedition,  which  has  loosed 

'  The  knees  of  many  men,  they  ordered  me 

'  And  the  renowned  Tdomeneus  to  lead 

'  Their  ships  to  Troy,  nor  way  was  to  refuse, 

'  For  the  stern  clamour  of  the  people  urged. 

'  There  for  nine  years  we  sons  of  Greece  waged  war,  240 

1  But  in  the  tenth  we  Priam's  city  sacked 

1  And  homeward  in  our  ships  embarked,  but  God 

'  Dispersed  the  Greeks.     For  miserable  me 

1  Jove  ill  devised.     I  but  a  month  remained, 

*  Delighting  in  my  children  and  my  wife 

1  Wedded  a  virgin,  and  my  wealth ;  and  then  245 

'  My  mir  d  to  Egypt  bade  me  voyage  make, 

'  Equipping  well  my  ships  with  noble  friends : 

1  Nine  I  equipped  \  the  people  gathered  soon, 

1  Six  days  my  dear  companions  feasted  there  : 

'  I  gave  them  many  victims,  to  the  Gods  250 

1  To  offer  sacrifice  and  feast  themselves  : 

'  But  on  the  seventh  we  from  Crete  embarked, 

*  And  with  a  clear  fair  north  wind  sailed  along 

'  With  ease,  as  down  a  stream,  and  of  the  ships 

'  Not  one  was  injured ;  healthy  and  unscathed         255 

1  We   sate,  while    wind    and    helmsman    kept   them 

straight. 
1  On  the  fifth  day  to  Egypt,  watered  well, 

*  We  came,  and  in  Egyptus'  stream  I  moored 


26  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV. 

*  The  two-banked  ships  :  I  bade  then  my  dear  friends 

1  There  by  the  ships  to  stay  and  draw  them  up,        260 

'  And  urged  the  watchmen  to  the  heights  to  go. 

<  But,  yielding  to  their  pride  and  following 

1  Their  own  device,  they  speedily  laid  waste 

'  The  beauteous  fields  of  the  Egyptians, 

'  Their  wives  and  infant  children  took  and  slew 

'  The  men  :  and  soon  the  cry  the  city  reached.         265 

1  Hearing  the  tumult,  with  th'  appearing  morn, 

'  They  came,  and  all  the  plain  with  foot  and  horse, 

'  And  with  the  gleaming  of  the  brass  was  tilled. 

1  Jove,  who  delights  in  thunder,  on  my  friends 

1  Sent  a  base  panic,  nor  did  any  dare 

1  Resist,  for  evil  stood  on  all  sides  round.  270 

'  Then  w<ith  sharp  brass  they  many  of  us  slew, 

'  And  some  they  took  away  alive,  to  work 

'  By  force  ;  bat  Jove  himself  within  my  mind 

'  This  counsel  put.     (I  would  that  I  had  died 

'  And  met  my  fate  in  Egypt  there,  for  still  275 

'  Calamity  awTaited  me  ;)  I  took 

*  The  well-made  helmet  from  my  head,  the  shield 
'  From  off  my  shoulders,  from  my  hand  the  spear, 
'  And  went  to  meet  the  horses  of  the  king, 

'  And  kissed  his  knees ;  he  saved  and  pitied  me 

'  And  in  his  chariot  took  me  weeping  home.  280 

'  Many  rushed  at  me  with  their  ashen  spears 

1  Seeking  to  kill  me  j  so  enraged  they  were ; 

'  But  he  repelled  them,  and  the  wrath  of  Jove, 

1  The  strangers'  God,  respected,  who  is  wroth 

'  At  evil  deeds. — There  seven  years  I  stayed,  285 

1  And  got  much  wealth  among  th'  Egyptian  men  ; 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV.  27 

'  For  all  gave  presents :  when  the  eighth  came  round, 
'  One  from  Phoenicia  came,  in  craft  well-skilled, 

*  A  greedy  knave  who  did  much  ill  to  men, 

1  Who  by  his  cunning  o'er-persuaded  me,  290 

'  Till  at  Phoenicia  we  had  arrived, 

1  Where  his  abode  and  his  possessions  lay. 

1  There  for  a  whole  year  with  him  I  remained. 

*  When  of  a  circling  year  the  months  and  days 
'  Were  now  completed,  and  the  hours  came  on, 
1  On  a  sea-going  ship  he  placed  me,  bound 

'  For  Libya,  inventing  lies  that  I  295 

1  Might  with  him  take  a  cargo,  but  in  truth 

*  To  get  me  there  and  gain  a  weighty  price. 

*  Mistrusting,  by  necessity  I  went 

1  On  board  :  the  ship  with  fair  north  wind  ran  on 

*  Midway  o'er  Crete,  but  Jove  their  ruin  planned.     300 
1  When  Crete  we  left,  nor  any  other  land 

*  Was  now  in  sight,  but  only  sky  and  sea, 

*  The  son  of  Saturn  placed  an  azure  cloud 

4  Above  the  ship  ;  the  sea  beneath  grew  dark ; 

'  Jove  thundered  frequently  and  hurled  a  bolt  305 

'  Against  the  ship,  which,  striken  by  Jove's  bolt, 

*  Reeled  and  was  filled  with  sulphur  j  all  fell  off, 
1  And  floated  round  the  ship  upon  the  waves 

'  Like  gulls,  and  God  took  their  return  away. 

'  But  Jove  for  me,  while  grieving  in  my  mind,  310 

*  Placed  in  my  hands  himself  the  dark-prowed  ship's 
1  Unbroken  mast,  that  I  might  death  escape. 

'  Clinging  thereto  by  fierce  winds  I  was  borne. 
1  Nine  days  I  floated  ;  on  the  tenth  black  night 
'  A  mighty  rolling  billow  drifted  me 


28  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV. 

'  Upon  the  land  of  the  Thesprotian  men.  315 

'  The  hero  Pheidon,  the  Thesprotian  king, 

*  Without  reward,  took  care  of  me  ;  his  son 

*  Led  me,  subdued  by  cold  and  weariness, 

*  To  his  own  home,  and  raised  me  by  the  hand, 
'  Till  to  his  father's  palace  I  had  come, 

*  And  clothed  me  with  a  tunic  and  a  cloak.  320 
'  There  heard  I  of  Ulysses,  for  he  said 

1  That  he  had  entertained  him  and  received 

*  With  kindness,  going  to  his  native  land. 
'  The  wealth  Ulysses  had  collected,  brass, 

'  Gold,  and  much  wrought  steel,  he  showed  to  me. 
4  To  the  tenth  generation  'twould  a  man  325 

*  Maintain  :  such  treasures  in  the  king's  house  lay. 
4  He  said  that  he  had  to  Dodona  gone, 

*  To  ask  the  counsel  of  the  Deity, 

*  From  the  high-branching  oak  of  Jupiter, 
4  How  he  might,  openly  or  secretly, 

4  To  Ithaca,  now  absent  long  return.  330 

1  And,  as  he  made  libation  in  his  house, 

4  He  sware  to  me  myself  that  even  then 

4  Launched  was  the  ship  and  ready  were  the  friends 

'  Who  would  convey  him  to  his  native  land. 

4  But  me  he  first  sent  off;  by  chance  a  ship 

4  Of  the  Thesprotians  to  Dulichium  335 

4  In  wheat  abounding,  was  about  to  go. 

4  He  ordered  them  to  take  me  carefully 

4  To  king  Acastus,  but  an  evil  plan 

4  About  me  pleased  their  mind,  that  I  might  still 

4  Have  sorrow  added  to  calamity. 

4  But  when  the  ship  had  from  the  land  sailed  far, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XIV.  29 

1  They  planned  for  me  the  day  of  slavery  ;  340 

'  They  stripped  me  of  my  garments,  vest  and  cloak, 
'  And  round  me  placed  a  sordid  rag  and  coat, 

*  All  torn,  which  thou  mayst  with  thine  eyes  behold, 
1  And  came  at  eve  to  sunny  Ithaca ; 

*  And  there  they  bound  me  in  the  well -benched  ship 

1  Firm  with  a  well-twined  rope  ;  and  they  with  haste   345 
1  Debarking  by  the  sea's  shore  supper  took. 

*  The  Gods  themselves  with  ease  untied  the  bond  ; 
'  And  wrapping  round  my  head  a  rag,  I  down 

*  The  polished  rudder  came,  and  made  my  breast     350 
1  Approach  the  sea ;  then  swimming  on  I  rowed 

*  With  both  my  hands,  and  soon  was  far  away. 
1  Then  climbing  in  the  thicket  of  a  wood 

*  I  cow'ring  lay  ;  they  groaning  roamed  about, 

1  But  thought  it  best  to  make  no  further  search,       355 
1  And  went  again  on  board  the  hollow  ship. 

*  The  Gods  themselves  concealed  me  easily, 

1  And  brought  me  to  a  prudent  man's  abode ; 

*  For  it  is  fated  still  that  I  should  live.' 

Swineherd  Eumeus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  :         300 

*  0  wretched  stranger  !  thou  hast  roused  my  mind 

*  Exceedingly  by  telling  all  these  things, 

1  How  thou  hast  suffered  and  hast  wandered  much. 

*  Yet  cannot  this,  I  think,  be  true,  and  thou, 
'  When  speaking  of  Ulysses,  shalt  not  make 

1  Me  to  believe  it.     Is  it  fit  that  thou, 

'  Such  as  thou  art,  shouldst  lie  thus  recklessly  1        305 

'  Myself  I  well  know  of  my  king's  return, 

1  How  he  was  greatly  hated  by  the  Gods, 

'  Because  they  neither  conquered  him  among 


30  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    XIV. 

1  The  Trojans,  nor  among  his  friends,  when  he 
'  The  toil  of  war  had  ended.     Then  the  Greeks 
1  Would  all  have  joined  to  make  his  sepulchre, 

*  And  for  his  son  he  glory  would  have  gained  :  370 
'  Him  harpies  now  have  snatched  ingloriously. 

*  I  am  retired  among  the  swine,  nor  go, 
'  Unless  the  wise  Penelope  invites 

*  When  comes  report  from  somewhere,  to  the  town. 

1  Some  sitting  near  him  ev'ry  thing  inquire,  375 

*  Both  they  who  grieve  for  the  long  absent  king, 

*  And  they  who  gladly  with  impunity 

*  Consume  his  substance  :  me  it  pleases  not 

*  To  seek  or  ask,  since  an  iEtolian  man 

*  Deceived  me  by  his  tale,  who,  having  slain 

1  A  man  and  wandered  o'er  much  earth,  arrived       380 

*  At  my  abode,  whom  kindly  I  received. 

*  He  said  he  saw  him  with  Idomeneus 

*  Among  the  Cretans,  putting  in  repair 

*  His  ships,  which  storms  had  shattered,  and  that  he 
'  Would  in  the  summer  or  the  autumn  come, 

1  Bringing  much  wealth,  with  his  heroic  friends.       385 

*  And  thou,  much  suffering  old  man  !  since  God 

*  Has  brought  thee  to  me,  do  not  gratify 

'  Nor  soothe  me  with  false  tales,  since  not  for  them 
'  Will  I  respect  or  love  thee,  but  because 
'  I  fear  the  strangers'  Jove  and  pity  thee.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said :  390 

*  Thy  mind  is  in  thy  breast  incredulous ; 

'  Since  not  by  oaths  I  move  thee  nor  persuade. 
'  Come  let  us  now  a  compact  make,  and  let 
'  Th'  Olympian  Gods  be  witnesses  to  both  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIV.  31 

*  If  to  this  house  thy  master  should  return,  395 

*  Arraying  me  in  vest  and  tunic  send, 

1  Where  my  mind  wishes,  to  Dulichium  : 
1  But,  should  thy  master  come  not  as  I  say, 

*  Thy  servants  bid  to  throw  me  from  a  rock, 

*  That  other  beggars  may  such  flatt'ry  shun.'  400 

The  noble  swineherd  answered  him  and  said : 

*  Stranger  !  to  me  good  fame  and  eminence 
'  Now  and  hereafter  among  men  would  be, 

1  If  I  who  brought  thee  to  my  lodge,  and  gifts 

1  Of  hospitality  on  thee  bestowed, 

'  Should  kill  thee,  and  thy  dear  life  take  away  ;        405 

1  And  cheerfully  I  then  should  pray  to  Jove. 

'  But  now  'tis  time  for  supper ;  very  soon 

*  Will  my  companions  be  within,  that  we 

*  A  pleasant  meal  may  in  the  lodge  prepare. ' 

Such  words  they  thus  to  one  another  spoke. 
The  swine,  and  men  that  fed  the  swine,  drew  near ;  410 
They  shut  them  in  th'  accustomed  place  to  sleep ; 
And  from  the  penned-up  swine  great  clamour  rose. 
Then  to  his  friends  the  swineherd  gave  command  : 
1  Bring  hither  of  the  swine  the  best,  that  I 
1  May  kill  it  for  the  guest  who  comes  from  far ; 
'  And  we  too  will  enjoy  it,  who  endure  415 

*  Fatigue  a  long  while  for  the  white-tusked  swine, 

*  While  others  eat  our  unrequited  toil.' 

So  speaking  he  with  hard  steel  cleft  the  logs ; 
And  they  a  five-year  old  fat  swine  brought  in. 
They  placed  it  on  the  hearth ;  the  swineherd  then   420 
Was  not  forgetful  of  th'  immortal  Gods, 
For  he  good  thoughts  possessed  ;  but  in  the  fire 


32  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIV. 

Threw  as  an  off'ring  first  the  hairs  that  grew 
Upon  the  forehead  of  the  white-tusked  swine  ; 
And  prayed  to  all  the  Gods  that  to  his  home 
The  wise  Ulysses  might  at  last  return. 
He  lifting  struck  it  with  an  oaken  log,  425 

Which  cleaving  he  had  left  there,  and  it  died. 
They  cut  and  singed  and  quickly  into  joints 
Divided  it ;  the  swineherd  put  raw  meat 
On  the  rich  fat  and  made  an  offering 
From  all  the  limbs,  and  some  upon  the  fire 
He  threw,  and  sprinkled  with  the  flour  of  meal. 
The  other  parts  they  minced  and  stuck  on  spits,      430 
Roasted  them  skilfully,  and  drew  all  off, 
And  placed  them  thickly  on  the  chopping-blocks. 
The  swineherd  rose  to  carve,  for  in  his  mind 
He  well  knew  what  was  right ;  dividing  it 
He  into  seven  portions  parted  al] ; 
One  to  the  nymphs  and  Hermes,  Maia's  son,  435 

With  pray'r  he  placed  ;  the  rest  he  gave  to  each, 
But  honoured  with  the  white-tusked  swine's  long  chine 
Ulysses,  and  rejoiced  the  monarch's  mind. 
Prudent  Ulysses  spoke  to  him  and  said : 
1  Be  dear  to  Jove,  Eumaeus  !  as  to  me,  440 

1  Who  one  like  me  with  good  gifts  honourest ! ' 
Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  : 
'  Eat,  worthy  guest !  and  in  whate'er  there  is 
I'  Rejoice  ;  God  one  thing  gives  and  one  withholds, 
\  *  As  pleases  him ;  for  all  things  he  can  do.' 

He  spake,  and  to  th'  immortal  Gods  he  made       445 
First  offerings,  and  pouring  forth  dark  wine 
In  city-ravaging  Ulysses'  hands 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIV.  33 

He  placed  it,  and  by  his  own  portion  sate. 

To  them  Mesaulius  divided  bread, 

Whom  of  himself  the  swineherd  had  acquired, 

His  master  being  absent,  neither  did  450 

His  mistress  nor  the  old  Laertes  know, 

And  with  his  own  wTealth  from  the  Taphians  bought. 

Upon  the  food  prepared  their  hands  they  threw. 

When  they  with  meat  and  drink  were  satisfied, 

Mesaulius  removed  the  food,  and  they 

Hasted  to  bed  with  bread  and  flesh  replete.  455 

The  night  came  bad  and  moonless :  Jove  all  night 

Kained,  and  the  mighty  wat'ry  west  wind  blew. 

Trying  the  swineherd  thus  Ulysses  spoke, 

To  see  if  he  would  taking  off  his  cloak  460 

Give  it,  or  some  one  of  his  friends  wTould  urge 

To  give,  since  for  him  he  had  great  regard. 

I  Eumaeus  !  hear,  and  all  ye  other  friends  ! 

I I  boasting  speak,  for  madd'ning  wine  excites, 

*  Which  even  makes  the  wise  man  sing  aloud, 

*  Laugh  in  a  foolish  manner,  makes  him  dance,         465 
'  And  utter  some  word  better  left  unsaid  : 

'  I  who  cry  out  the  first  will  nothing  hide. 

*  Would  I  were  young,  and  that  my  strength  were  firm, 
1  As  when  we  planned  an  ambush  under  Troy ; 

1  Ulysses,  Menelaus,  Atreus'  son,  470 

'  Were  leaders :  I,  for  so  they  bade,  ruled  third. 

*  When  to  the  town  and  lofty  wall  we  came, 

1  We  round  the  city,  in  the  brushwood  thick, 

*  Among  the  reeds  and  marsh,  lay  cowering 
1  In  arms,  and  night  inclement,  frosty  came, 

1  The  north  wind  blowing;  snow,  as  hoar-frost  cold,  175 

D 


34  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIV. 

*  Came  down,  and  ice  congealed  around  our  shields. 
'  The  others  all  of  them  had  vests  and  cloaks, 

*  Slept  quietly,  and  covered  with  their  shields 

*  Their  shoulders.     I  when  I  set  out  had  left 

'  My  cloak  with  my  companions,  carelessly,  480 

*  Nor  thought  to  shudder  with  excessive  cold, 
'  But  went  with  only  shield  and  shining  belt. 

'  'Twas  the  third  watch  of  night,  the  stars  had  gone  ; 
'  I  touching  with  my  elbow  thus  addressed 

*  Ulysses  near  me,  and  he  quickly  heard :  485 
1 "  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

*  "  I  shall  no  longer  with  the  living  be ; 

*  "  Cold  weather  conquers  me ;  no  cloak  have  I ; 

*  "  A  Deity  decoyed  me  with  one  vest 

'  "  To  come  ;  from  this  there  now  is  no  escape  :" 

*  I  spake  :  he  then  had  this  thought  in  his  mind,     490 
'  For  such  was  he  to  counsel  and  to  fight ; 

*  And,  speaking  in  an  undertone,  he  said 

*  "  Hush  now !  lest  some  one  of  the  Greeks  should  hear." 

*  He  spake,  and  on  his  elbow  raised  his  head, 

1  And  said,  "  Hear,  friends  !  a  dream  divine  has  come 

1  "  Upon  me  sleeping  :  from  the  ships  afar  495 

'  "  We  've  come ;  let  one  to  Agamemnon  go, 

'  "  The  son  of  Atreus,  of  the  people  chief, 

'  "  That  he  may  bid  more  from  the  ships  to  come." 

*  He  spoke ;  then  Thoas  rose,  Andrsemon's  son, 

*  With  speed  and  laid  his  purple  cloak  aside,  500 
'  And  hasted  to  the  ships :  I  in  his  vest 

*  Lay  gladly,  and  the  gold -throned  morning  dawned. 
'  Would  I  as  young  were,  and  my  strength  as  firm  ! 

*  One  of  the  swineherd  in  the  stall  would  then 
1 A  cloak  bestow  upon  me,  both  from  love 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XIV.  36 

1  And  rev'rence  for  a  worthy  man  ;  but  now  505 

'  They  disregard  me  wearing  mean  attire.' 
Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply : 

*  Old  man  !  the  narrative  which  thou  hast  told 
'  Is  excellent,  nor  hast  thou  said  a  word 

*  Or  wrong  or  profitless  ;  thou  shalt  not  want  510 

*  Garment  or  any  other  thing  which  fits 

1 A  suff 'ring  suppliant  to  meet  with  now  : 
cBut  in  the  morning  thou  shalt  don  thy  rags ; 

*  Not  many  cloaks  and  change  of  vests  are  here 

*  To  dress  in,  but  for  each  man  only  one. 

1  [But  when  Ulysses'  dear  son  shall  arrive,  515 

*  Garments,  a  cloak  and  tunic,  he  will  give, 

*  And  send  thee  where  thy  heart  and  mind  desire.]' 

Thus  speaking  up  he  sprang,  and  near  the  fire 
Placed  a  couch  for  him  and  upon  it  threw 
Sheep-skins  and  goat-skins ;  there  Ulysses  lay,         520 
And  over  him  a  thick  large  cloak  he  cast, 
Which  gave  a  change  of  dress  for  him  to  wear 
When  any  dreadful  tempest  should  arise. 
There  slept  Ulysses ;  near  him  slept  the  youths : 
But  a  bed  there  did  not  the  swineherd  please  525 

Far  from  the  swine  to  lie  ;  but  going  out 
He  armed  himself:  Ulysses  joyed  to  see 
That  of  his  substance,  while  so  far  away, 
He  took  such  care  :  round  his  strong  shoulders  first 
He  threw  a  sharp  sword  ;  then  a  cloak  put  on 
To  keep  the  wind  off,  very  thick ;  and  took 
The  fleecy  skin  of  a  large  well-fed  goat,  530 

And  a  sharp  spear  to  ward  off  dogs  and  men, 
And  went,  where  slept  the  swine,  to  lie  beneath 
A  rock,  a  shelter  from  the  northern  blast.      . 


36  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV. 


BOOK      XV. 


Pallas  Minerva  to  wide  Sparta  went, 
To  put  Ulysses'  noble  son  in  mind 
Of  his  return,  and  urge  him  to  go  home. 
Telemachus  and  Nestor's  noble  son 
She  found  in  famous  Menelaus'  porch  5 

Reclining ;  Nestor's  son  indeed  subdued 
By  gentle  sleep,  but  on  Telemachus 
No  sweet  sleep  came,  for  in  his  mind  he  stirred 
Cares  for  his  father  through  th'  ambrosial  night. 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  standing  near  him  said  : 
'  Telemachus  !  it  is  not  well  that  thou  10 

1  Far  from  thy  home  shouldst  wander,  in  the  house 
'  Leaving  thy  goods  and  such  o'erbearing  men, 

*  Lest  they,  dividing,  should  consume  them  all, 

1  And  thou  a  journey  shouldst  have  made  in  vain. 

*  But  urge  thou  Menelaus,  good  in  fight, 

4  With  speed  to  send  thee,  that  thou  find  at  home     15 

'  Thy  mother,  whom  her  sire  and  brothers  bid 

1  To  wed  Eurymachus  (for  he  excels 

'  The  suitors  all  in  gifts,  and  has  increased 

1  The  bridal  presents),  lest  against  thy  will 

4  He  from  thine  house  some  property  remove. 

'  Thou  know'st  what  mind  is  in  a  woman's  breast :     20 

'  She  wishes  to  enrich  the  house  of  him 

*  Who  weds  her,  nor  her  former  children  more 
c  Remembers,  and  her  virgin-wedded  spouse, 

'  Who  now  is  dead,  nor  after  him  enquires. 

'  Go  thou  thyself,  and  ev'ry  thing  entrust 

8  To  her  who  of  the  hand-maids  seems  the  best,  25 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XV.  37 

'  Till  the  Gods  show  thee  an  illustrious  wife. 

*  Another  thing  I  tell  thee  ;  weigh  it  well  : 

*  The  chiefest  of  the  suitors,  carefully 
'  Hidden  in  ambush  in  the  narrow  sea 

*  Of  Ithaca  and  rocky  Samos,  lie 

*  Seeking  to  kill  thee  ere  thou  reach  thy  home.  30 
1  This  will  not  be,  I  ween  ;  earth  first  will  hold 

1  Some  of  the  suitors  who  thy  wealth  consume. 

*  Far  from  the  islands  keep  thy  well-built  ship, 

'  And  sail  besides  by  night ;  some  God,  who  guards 
1  And  rescues  thee,  will  send  a  fav'ring  breeze  :  35 

1  But  when  to  Ithaca's  first  shore  thou  com'st 
1  Thy  ship  and  all  friends  to  the  city  send, 

*  And  to  the  swineherd  go  thou  first  of  all, 

'  Who  guards  thy  swine  and  has  kind  thoughts  to  thee  : 
1  There  sleep  the  night,  and  send  him  to  the  town  40 
1  To  tell  the  tidings  to  Penelope, 

*  That  thou  art  safe  and  hast  from  Pylos  come.' 

She  spake  and  to  the  high  Olympus  went. 
But  he  from  sweet  sleep  Nestor's  son  aroused, 
[With  his  heel  moving  him,  and  thus  addressed  :]      45 
1  Rise,  Nestor's  son  !   Pisistratus  !   and  bring 
1  The  solid-footed  steeds,  and  to  the  car 
'  Yoke  them  that  we  our  journey  may  perform.' 

Then  Nestor's  son,  Pisistratus,  replied  : 
'  Telemachus  !  it  cannot  be  that  we, 

*  Though  on  our  journey  hastening,  should  drive 

'  Through  the  dark  night,  but  soon  it  will  be  dawn  ;  50 
4  Stay  till  the  hero  famous  for  his  spear, 

*  The  son  of  Atreus,  Menelaus,  comes, 

*  And  bringing  gifts  shall  place  them  in  the  car, 


38  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XV. 

1  And  with  kind  words  addressing,  send  us  off: 

'  For  a  guest  holds  in  mem'ry  all  his  days 

1  The  hospitable  man  who  friendship  shows.'  55 

He  spake,  and  gold -throned  morning  quickly  came 
Then  Menelaus,  good  in  war,  approached, 
Leaving  his  couch  by  Helen  with  fair  hair. 
When  him  the  dear  son  of  Ulysses  saw, 
With  haste  the  hero  donned  a  shining  vest, 
O'er  his  strong  shoulders  threw  an  ample  cloak,        60 
[Telemachus,  divine  Ulysses'  son] 
Went  to  the  door,  and  standing  by  him  said : 
'  0  Menelaus  !  thou  Jove-nurtured  son 
1  Of  Atreus,  of  the  people  chieftain  !  now 
'  Send  me  away  to  my  dear  native  land,  65 

1  For  my  mind  wishes  to  my  home  to  go.' 

To  him  the  warlike  Menelaus  said  : 
'  Telemachus  !  I  will  not  long  detain 
'  Thee  eager  to  return.     With  any  one 
'  I  should  be  angry,  who  receives  a  guest, 
'  If  he  should  love  or  hate  him  over-much  :  70 

'  The  mean  is  always  best ;  'tis  equally 
*  An  evil  if  he  drive  a  guest  away 
'  Unwilling  to  return,  or  one  detain 
'  Desirous  to  depart :  ['tis  fit  a  guest 
'  Present  to  love  and  when  he  wills  to  speed] 
1  But  stay  till  I  some  beauteous  gifts  shall  bring,       75 
'  And  place  them  in  the  chariot,  which  thou 
'  Mayst  with  thine  eyes  behold,  and  till  I  tell 
1  The  women  in  the  palace  to  prepare 
'  A  feast  sufficient  of  what  is  within. 
'  It  is  a  glory,  honour,  and  delight 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV.  39 

1  To  set  out  o'er  a  vast  and  boundless  track 

1  After  a  feast :  if  thou  dost  wish  to  go 

1  Through  Hellas  and  mid-Argos,  I  myself  80 

*  Upon  thee  would  attend  and  yoke  the  steeds, 

*  And  lead  thee  to  men's  cities ;  nor  will  one 
'  Send  us  away  in  vain,  but  will  bestow 

*  To  carry  with  us  some  one  thing  at  least, 

*  Some  tripod,  or  some  cauldron  made  of  brass, 

*  Two  mules,  it  may  be,  or  a  golden  cup.'  85 

The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said : 
'  0  Menelaus  !  thou  Jove-nurtured  son 
■  Of  Atreus,  of  the  people  chieftain  !  I 
'  To  my  own  household  now  desire  to  go ; 
'  (Over  my  goods  I  left  no  guard  behind) 
'  Lest  while  I  seek  my  sire  myself  am  lost,  90 

*  Or  some  good  treasure  perish  from  my  house. 

But  this  when  warlike  Menelaus  heard, 
He  to  his  wife  and  handmaids  quickly  gave 
Command,  of  things  that  in  the  palace  were 
Abundantly  a  banquet  to  prepare. 
Then  Eteoneus,  of  Boethes  son, 

Arising  from  his  couch  came  near ;  not  far  95 

Away  he  dwelt ;  and  him  a  fire  to  light 
And  flesh  to  roast  brave  Menelaus  bade, 
Nor  when  he  heard  him  did  he  disobey. 
Then  to  his  fragrant  chamber  went  he,  not  alone ;  100 
Helen  and  Megapenthes  with  him  went. 
But  when  they  came  to  where  the  treasures  lay 
The  son  of  Atreus  took  a  double  cup, 
And  his  son  Megapenthes  bade  to  bring 
A  silver  bowl ;  and  Helen  to  the  chests 


40  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV. 

Where  the  all-variegated  garments  were, 

Which  she  herself  had  laboured  at,  approached.       105 

Helen,  of  women  most  divine,  took  one, 

Most  beautiful  in  its  embroidery 

And  largest  j  like  a  star  it  shone,  and  lay 

Lowest  of  all ;  and  through  the  house  they  went 

Till  to  Telemachus  they  came,  and  him 

The  fair-haired  Menelaus  thus  addressed  :  no 

'Telemachus  !  may  Jove,  the  thund'ring  spouse 

'  Of  Juno,  so  accomplish  thy  return 

'  As  thou  thyself  desirest  in  thy  mind  ! 

*  Of  gifts,  whatever  treasures  in  my  house 
'  Are  laid,  the  fairest  and  the  costliest 

1 1  will  bestow  :  A  goblet  I  will  give  115 

1  Of  silver  wrought ;  its  lips  are  bound  with  gold, 

*  The  work  of  Vulcan  -;  hero  Phoedimus, 
1  The  king  of  the  Sidonians,  gave  it  me, 

1  When  his  house  sheltered  me  on  my  return : 
'  And  this  I  willingly  on  thee  bestow.' 

The  hero,  son  of  Atreus,  speaking  thus,  120 

Placed  in  his  hands  the  double  cup  j  the  bowl 
Shining  with  silver  Megapenthes  brought, 
And  placed  before  him ;  fair-cheeked  Helen  next 
Stood  near  him,  holding  in  her  hand  the  vest, 
And  with  these  words  addressed  Telemachus : 

*  And  I  too  give  to  thee,  dear  child  !  this  gift  125 
'  As  a  memorial  of  Helen's  hands, 

'  Against  thy  wished-for  marriage  for  thy  wife 
'  To  wear,  and  till  then  let  it  in  thy  house 
'  Remain  with  thy  dear  mother.     Mayst  thou  reach 
'  With  joy  thy  well-built  house  and  native  land  1' 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XV.  41 

She  spake,  and  gave  it ;  he  with  joy  received.      130 
Of  these  the  brave  Pisistratus  took  charge, 
Stowed  in  the  car  and  wondered  as  he  gazed. 
The  fair-haired  Menelaus  to  the  house 
Led  them,  and  there  on  seats  and  thrones  they  sate. 
In  a  fair  golden  ewer  a  handmaid  brought  135 

Water,  and  poured  it  o'er  a  silver  vase 
To  wash,  and  spread  a  polished  table  near ; 
The  venerable  house-keeper  brought  bread : 
[Placed  cates  and  pleased  them  with  the  things  at  hand.] 
Boethes  son  both  carved  and  shared  the  flesh.  140 

Famed  Menelaus'  son  poured  forth  the  wine, 
And  on  the  feast  prepared  their  hands  they  threw. 
When  they  with  drink  and  meat  were  satisfied, 
Telemachus  and  Nestor's  noble  son 
The  horses  yoked,  and  climbed  the  painted  car,        145 
And  from  the  door  and  sounding  porch  they  drove. 
But  fair-haired  Menelaus  followed  them  ; 
His  right  hand  bore  sweet  wine  in  golden  cup, 
That  having  made  libation  they  might  go. 
Fronting  the  steeds  he  pledged  them  and  addressed : 

*  Youths  !  fare  ye  well !  bid  royal  Nestor  hail :         150 
'  He  ever  was  to  me  as  father  kind, 

'  While  we,  the  sons  of  Greeks,  made  war  in  Troy.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 
1  Aye  !  truly  will  we,  thou  Jove-nurtured  one  !  155 

*  On  our  arrival  tell  him  all  thou  bidst. 

*  Would  that  I  so,  to  Ithaca  returned, 

*  Might,  having  found  Ulysses  in  the  house, 
1  Tell  him  of  all  the  friendship  I  received 

'  From  thee,  and  how  I  many  fair  gifts  bring  !' 


42  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV. 

A  bird  flew  on  his  right  hand  as  he  spoke,  160 

An  eagle,  bearing  in  his  claws  a  goose, 
Large,  white,  and  tame,  from  out  the  poultry-yard, 
While  men  and  women  shouted  in  pursuit. 
It  to  the  right  before  the  horses  rushed ; 
With  joy  all  saw  it  and  their  minds  were  glad.         165 
Them  Nestor's  son,  Pisistratus,  addressed : 

*  Jove -nurtured  Menelaus  !  prince  of  men  ! 
1  Bethink  thee  if  to  us  or  to  thyself 

f  It  is  that  Jove  has  sent  this  prodigy.' 

He  spake  :  brave  Menelaus  taking  thought 
Deliberated  how  to  answer  right ;  170 

But  long-robed  Helen  interrupting  said  : 

*  Hear  me  !  I  what  th'  immortal  Gods  suggest, 
'  And  as  I  think  'twill  be,  will  prophesy. 

*  As  this  bird,  coming  from  the  mountain-top 

*  Where  were  its  race  and  birth,  has  seized  a  goose,  175 
'  In  the  house  fattened,  so  Ulysses  home, 

*  Much  having  suffered,  having  wandered  far, 

'  Will  come  and  vengeance  take  ;  or  even  now 
1  Is  there  and  woes  for  all  the  suitors  plans.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  her  replied  : 
'  May  Jove,  of  Juno  the  loud-thund'ring  spouse,      180 
9  Grant  that  it  be  so  !  and  then  even  there 
'  I  will  as  to  a  God  make  vows  to  thee.' 

He  spake,  and  lashed  the  horses ;  they  with  speed 
Rushed  eager  through  the  city  to  the  plain 
And  shook  all  day  the  neck-encircling  yoke. 
The  sun  had  set,  and  all  the  ways  were  dark :  185 

They  Pherse  reached,  the  house  of  Diodes 
Son  of  Orsilochus,  Alpheus'  son ; 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV.  43 

There  slept,  for  he  gave  hospitality. 

When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 

They  yoked  the  horses,  climbed  the  painted  car,      190 

And  from  the  door  and  sounding  porch  they  drove. 

He  whipped  the  steeds  which  not  unwilling  flew : 

Quickly  to  Pylos'  lofty  town  they  came. 

Then  spake  Telemachus  to  Nestor's  son  : 

*  Say,  son  of  Nestor  !  couldst  thou  promise  me         195 
'  To  do  my  bidding  1     We  with  truth  profess 

*  That  from  our  fathers'  friendship  we  are  friends ; 

*  But  we  are  also  of  an  equal  age, 

1  And  this  our  journey  will  unite  us  more/ 

*  Take  me  not  past  the  ship,  but  leave  me  here, 

1  Lest  the  old  man  detain  me  in  his  house,  200 

*  Eager  to  entertain  me,  but  against 

'  My  wish  :  'tis  fit  that  I  should  go  with  speed.' 

He  spoke  :  the  son  of  Nestor  in  his  mind 
Thought  how  to  promise  rightly  and  perform. 
This,  as  he  thought,  appeared  the  better  plan : 
To  the  swift  ships  and  shore  he  turned  the  steeds,  205 
Took  out  the  beauteous  gifts  and  in  the  stern 
Placed  vest  and  gold  which  Menelaus  gave ; 
And  urging  spoke  to  him  these  winged  words : 

*  With  haste  embark  and  summon  all  thy  friends 

*  Ere  I  go  home  and  tell  my  aged  sire.  210 
1  His  haughty  spirit  in  my  mind  I  know ; 

1  He  will  not  let  thee  go,  but  will  himself 

*  Come  hither  to  invite  thee,  nor,  I  think, 

*  Wilt  thou  go  empty,  but  he  will  be  wroth.5 

Thus  having  said,  he  drove  his  fair-haired  steeds  215 
Quick  to  the  Pylian  town,  and  reached  his  home. 


44  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV. 

Telemachus  then  urged  his  friends  and  said  : 
1  Arrange,  my  friends  !  the  tackle  in  the  ship, 
i  Let  us  embark  our  voyage  to  perform.' 

He  spoke :  forthwith  they  heard  him  and  obeyed;  220 
Quick  they  embarked  and  on  the  benches  sate. 
He  too  was  toiling  at  these  things,  and  prayed, 
And  to  Minerva  offered  sacrifice 
By  the  ship's  stern.     A  foreigner  approached, 
A  soothsayer,  from  Argos  fugitive, 
One  who  had  slain  a  man  in  family 
Descended  from  Melampus,  who  of  yore  225 

Had  dwelt  in  Pylos,  mother-land  of  sheep, 
Rich  and  inhabiting  a  house  of  note 
Among  the  Pylians,  but  was  going  then 
To  a  strange  people,  flying  from  his  home 
And  Neleus,  most  renowned  of  living  men, 
Who  for  a  year  complete  kept  all  his  goods  230 

By  violence,  and  he  meanwhile  was  bound 
With  grievous  chain  in  th  'house  of  Phylacus, 
Bearing  for  Neleus'  daughter  heavy  woes, 
And  for  the  grief  which  in  his  mind  had  caused 
The  Fury,  Goddess  unapproachable. 
But  he  escaped  destruction,  and  the  beeves  235 

Lowing  from  Phylace  to  Pylos  drove, 
And  upon  God-like  Neleus  took  revenge 
For  his  unseemly  deed,  and  brought  a  wife 
Home  for  his  brother.     To  another  land, 
Argos  for  breeding  horses  famed,  he  went, 
For  it  was  fated  for  him  there  to  dwell, 
And  over  many  Argives  to  be  king.  240 

A  wife  he  married,  built  a  lofty  house, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV.  45 

Begat  Antiphates  and  Manthis, 

Two  noble  sons  :  Antiphates  begat 

Magnanimous  Oicles  ;  he  begat 

Amphiaraus,  rousing  men  to  war, 

Whom  iEgis-bearmg  Jove  and  Pheebus  loved  245 

With  ev'ry  kind  of  friendship  in  their  heart. 

Yet  reached  he  not  the  threshold  of  old-age, 

But  through  a  woman's  gifts  he  died  in  Thebes. 

Two  sons,  Alcmseon  and  Amphilochus, 

To  him  were  born  :  of  Mantius  again 

Cleitus  and  Polypheides  were  the  sons. 

The  golden-throned  Aurora  snatched  away  250 

Cleitus  by  reason  of  his  beauteous  form, 

That  he  might  dwell  among  th  'immortal  Gods. 

The  noble  Polypheides  Phaebus  made 

A  soothsayer  by  far  most  excellent 

Gf  mortals,  when  Amphiaraus  died. 

He,  angry  with  his  father,  migrated 

To  Hyperesia,  and  dwelling  there 

Gave  to  all  mortal  men  his  oracles.  255 

His  son,  named  Theoclymenus,  stood  near 

Telemachus,  whom  by  the  swift  black  ship 

He  found  libations  offering  and  pray'rs, 

And  calling  to  him  spake  these  winged  words : 

1  Friend  !  since  I  find  thee  sacrificing  here,  260 

*  I  pray  thee  by  thine  off  'rings,  by  the  God, 

*  And  by  the  heads  too  of  thyself  and  friends, 

1  Tell,  when  I  ask  thee,  truth  nor  aught  conceal : 
1  Whence  com  est  thou  1  thy  town  and  parents  where  V 
Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said :  265 

'  Stranger  !  I  will  then  speak  with  perfect  truth  : 


46  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XV. 

*  I  am  from  Ithaca  by  birth  ;  my  sire, 
'  Ulysses,  if  indeed  he  were  alive  ; 

'  But  he  has  perished  by  a  mournful  death, 

*  And  therefore  came  I,  taking  friends  and  ship, 
'News  of  my  father,  absent  long,  to  seek.'  270 

The  Godlike  Theoclymenus  replied : 

*  And  I  too  from  my  country  am  away, 

1  Having  a  man  of  mine  own  kindred  slain. 

'  His  brethren  and  his  friends  are  numerous 

'  In  Argos,  and  bear  rule  among  the  Greeks  : 

1  From  them  I  fly,  avoiding  death  and  fate.  275 

6  So  'tis  my  lot  to  wander  among  men, 

1  Lest  they  should  slay  me.     Place  me  in  thy  ship, 

4  Since  in  my  flight  I  am  thy  suppliant, 

'  For  I  suppose  that  they  are  in  pursuit ! ' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 
6 1  will  not,  since  it  is  thy  wish  to  go,  280 

'  Repulse  thee  from  my  ship ;  but  follow  me, 
'  Thou  shalt  be  welcomed  there  with  what  we  have.' 

He  spoke,  and  took  from  him  his  brazen  spear, 
And  laid  it  on  the  well-oared  vessel's  deck ; 
On  the  sea-going  ship  himself  embarked, 
Sate  at  the  stern,  and  Theoclymenus  285 

Placed  by  his  side,  and  they  the  cables  loosed. 
Telemachus  bade  urgently  his  friends 
To  fit  the  tackling ;  freely  they  obeyed. 
The  fir-wood  mast  they  reared  and  fixed  within 
The  hollow  socket,  and  made  fast  with  ropes,  290 

And  drew  the  white  sails  up  with  well-twined  thongs. 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  sent  a  fav'ring  breeze 
Which  through  the  air  blew  sharply,  that  with  speed 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XV.  47 

The  ship  might  o'er  the  sea's  salt  water  run. 

[Cruni  and  Calchis  with  fair  streams  they  passed]    295 

The  sun  had  set  and  all  the  ways  were  dark ; 

The  ship  reached  Phese,  urged  by  Jove's  fair  breeze, 

And  sacred  Elis  where  Epeans  rule ; 

Thence  by  the  swift -retreating  isles  he  steered, 

In  doubt  or  death  to  flee  from  or  be  caught.  300 

Meanwhile  Ulysses  and  the  swineherd  supped 
Within  the  tent,  and  by  them  supped  the  rest. 
When  they  with  drink  and  meat  were  satisfied, 
Ulysses  spoke  to  them,  intending  thus 
To  try  the  swineherd,  whether  kindly  still 
He  in  the  lodge  would  entertain  and  bid  305 

Him  stay,  or  urge  him  to  the  town  to  go. 
1  Hear  me,  Eumseus  !  and  all  ye  his  friends  ! 

*  At  dawn  I  to  the  city  wish  to  go 

1  To  beg,  that  thee  and  friends  I  burthen  not. 

*  Advise  me  well  and  a  good  guide  supply  310 
1  To  lead  me  thither  ;  through  it  I  myself 

*  Will  wander  by  necessity,  if  one 

*  A  jug  of  wine  and  meal -cake  will  bestow, 

I  And,  going  to  divine  Ulysses'  house, 

*  I'll  tell  the  wise  Penelope  the  news, 

'  And  with  the  over-bearing  suitors  mix,  315 

*  If  feasting  much  they  will  a  meal  bestow. 

I I  could  do  quickly  for  them  what  they  wish  \ 
1  For  I  will  tell  thee,  understand  and  hear, 

'  That,  thanks  to  Mercury  the  messenger 

*  Who  grace  and  fame  on  all  men's  works  bestows,  320 

*  No  man  in  service  could  with  me  contend 
'To  light  a  fire,  the  faggots  dry  to  cleave, 


48  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV. 

'  To  carve  and  roast  the  meat  and  pour  out  wine  j 
1  Things  which  inferiors  for  nobles  do.' 

Eumseus  !  greatly  moved  thou  didst  reply :  325 

1  Ah  !  stranger  !  why  is  this  thought  in  thy  mind  ? 
1  Thou  certainly  must  wish  to  perish  there, 
'  If  thou  wilt  mingle  with  the  suitors'  band, 
'  Whose  pride  and  force  reach  to  the  iron  sky. 
*  Not  such  attendants  are  for  them  as  thou,  330 

1  But  youths  in  vests  and  tunics  finely  clad, 
'  Sleek  always  in  their  heads  and  faces  fair, 
'  Who  serve  them,  while  the  tables  polished  well 
1  Are  heavy  laden  with  bread,  flesh  and  wine. 
i  Stay  here,  for  none  are  by  thy  presence  vexed,      335 
'  Nor  I  nor  any  one  of  these  my  friends  : 
'  But  when  Ulysses'  dear  son  shall  arrive, 
1  Garments,  a  cloak  and  tunic,  he  will  give, 
'And  send  thee  where  thy  heart  and  mind  desire.' 

Patient  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  :  340' 

1  Eumseus  !  wTould  that  thou  by  father  Jove 
' Wert  loved  as  much  as  thou  art  loved  by  me, 
'  Since  from  my  wand' ring  and  my  grievous  toil 
1  Thou  giv'st  me  respite  ;  for  to  mortal  man 
'  There  is  no  evil  worse  than  vagrancy ; 
'  And  for  their  craving  stomachs  men  have  woes, 
'  On  whom  come  wandering  and  fate  and  grief.         345 
1  Since  for  Telemachus  thou  bidst  me  wait, 
'  Tell  me  about  the  mother  and  the  sire 
1  Of  the  divine  Ulysses,  whom  he  left, 
'  Departing,  on  the  threshold  of  old  age, 
1  If  still  beneath  the  sun's  rays  they  survive, 
'  Or  now  are  dead  and  are  in  Pluto's  house.'  350 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XV.  49 

The  swineherd,  chief  of  men,  addressed  him  thus  : 
,    c  Then,  stranger  !  I  will  speak  with  perfect  truth  : 

*  Laertes  still  is  living,  and  to  Jove 

'  Is  ever  making  pray'r  that  from  his  limbs 

*  His  life  may  perish  in  his  own  abode ; 

'  For  he  grieves  deeply  for  his  absent  son,  355 

'  And  for  his  prudent  virgin-wedded  wife, 

*  Who  grieved  him,  when  she  died,  exceedingly, 
'  And  placed  him  in  a  premature  old  age. 

*  For  she,  through  sorrow  for  her  noble  son, 

'  Died  by  a  grievous  death  :  may  none  so  die 

'  Who  lives  my  friend  here  and  does  friendly  deeds  !  36O 

*  While  yet  she  lived,  howe'er  by  grief  opprest, 

*  'Twas  my  delight  to  seek  her  and  converse ; 

*  For  she  herself,  with  long-robed  Ctimene, 

*  Her  noble  daughter,  whom  her  youngest  child 

*  She  bare,  had  nurtured  me,  and  I  with  her 

*  Grew  up,  and  little  less  she  honoured  me.  365 
1  Her,  when  to  wished  for  youth  we  both  had  come, 

'  They  sent  to  Samos,  and  large  gifts  received. 

*  Me,  having  with  a  cloak  and  tunic  clothed, 

*  Fair  vests,  and  given  sandals  to  my  feet, 

*  She  to  the  country  sent,  but  loved  me  more.  370 
'  These  now  I  lack ;  but  yet  the  blessed  Gods 

'  Increased  the  toil  at  which  I  now  abide  : 

*  I  still  eat,  drink,  and  give  to  worthy  men. 

1  But  from  my  mistress  'tis  not  mine  to  hear 

*  Or  soothing  word  or  deed,  since  on  the  house         375 
1  Evil  has  fallen,  overbearing  men. 

*  But  to  their  mistress  much  the  servants  long 
1  To  speak,  and  ask  her  ev'ry  thing,  to  eat 


50  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XV. 

4  And  drink,  and  carry  something  to  the  field, 
'  As  much  it  pleases  servants'  minds  to  do.' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  :  38  0 

*  Swineherd  Eumeeus  !  but  how  didst  thou  stray, 
4  When  little  still,  from  parents  and  from  home  ? 
'  But  come  now  tell  me  this  and  tell  me  true  : 

'  Was  the  wide-streeted  city  sacked,  wherein 

4  Thy  sire  and  venerable  mother  dwelt  1  385 

'  Or  in  their  ships  did  foemen  bear  thee  off, 

*  With  sheep  or  oxen  left  alone,  and  bring 

*  To  this  man's  house,  and  did  he  fit  price  give  1 ' 

The  swineherd,  chief  of  men,  to  him  replied  : 

*  Stranger  !  since  thou  dost  ask  me  and  enquire,      390 
4  Attend  in  silence  and  enjoy  thyself, 

*  And  sit  and  drink  the  wine  ;  these  nights  are  long  : 
4  There  is  a  time  to  sleep ;  there  is  a  time 

4  To  listen  with  delight ;  it  is  not  fit 
4  That  thou  shouldst  go  to  rest  before  the  time ; 
4  For  too  much  sleep  is  painful :  of  the  rest 
'  Let  him  whose  heart  and  mind  command  retire     395 
4  To  sleep,  and  let  him,  with  appearing  dawn, 
4  Feast  and  attend  upon  our  master's  swine. 
4  But  in  the  lodge  let  us  two  eat  and  drink, 
And  please  ourselves  by  calling  to  our  mind 
4  Each  other's  woes  ;  for  afterwards  a  man  400 

4  Is  e'en  with  woes  delighted,  who  has  felt 
4  Great  suffering  and  who  has  wandered  much. 
4  What  thou  enquirest  of  me  I  will  tell. 
4  There  is  a  certain  isle,  if  thou  perchance 
4  Hast  heard  of  it,  called  Syria,  beyond 
4  Ortygia,  where  the  sun  turns  round  his  course  ; 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XV.  51 

*  Not  very  populous  but  excellent,  405 

*  For  oxen  and  for  sheep  well  suited,  rich 

1  In  wine  and  wheat,  and  famine  never  comes 

*  Upon  its  people,  nor  does  fell  disease, 
'  As  upon  other  miserable  men  : 

*  But  in  the  city,  when  men's  tribes  grow  old, 

'  Silver-bowed  Phsebus  with  Diana  comes,  410 

1  And,  with  mild  darts  attacking  them,  destroys. 
1  There  are  two  cities ;  all  things  are  to  them 
'  Divided  two-fold,  but  o'er  both  my  sire 

*  Was  king ;  one  equal  to  th'  immortal  Gods, 

*  Called  Ctesius,  the  son  of  Ormenus. 

'  The  ship-renowned  Phoenicians  thither  came,         415 

*  Knaves,  bringing  many  trinkets  in  their  ship. 
'  There  was  a  woman  of  Phoenicia 

'  In  my  sire's  house,  fair,  skilled  in  beauteous  works  j 
J  ■  Her  the  Phoenicians,  crafty  men,  deceived  \ 
1  One  spoke  to  her  of  love,  as  near  the  ship  420 

'  She  washed  the  vests ;  a  thing  which  captivates 
1  Weak  women's  minds,  though  prudent  one  may  be.) 

*  He  asked  her  who  she  was,  and  whence  she  came ; 

*  She  told  him  of  her  father's  high-roofed  house  : 

1 "  From  Sidon,  rich  in  brass,  I  boast  to  be,  425 

*  "  Daughter  of  wealth-o'erflowing  Arybas  : 

'  "  The  Taphians  seized  upon  me,  plunderers, 

' "  As  from  the  fields  I  came,  and  hither  brought 

'  "  To  this  man's  house,  and  he  a  fit  price  gave."      430 

*  Then  spake  to  her  the  man  who  gained  her  love  : 
1 "  Wouldst  thou  go  back  now  to  thine  home  with  us, 
' "  Father's  and  mother's  house  and  them  to  see, 
1 "  For  still  they  live  and  are  accounted  rich  ? " 


52  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV. 

1  The  woman  then  replied  to  him  and  said : 
1  "  This  might  be  so  if,  sailors  !  ye  consent  435 

* "  To  swear  an  oath  to  take  me  safely  home." 

1  She  spake  :  and  all  as  she  commanded  swore  : 
'  When  they  had  sworn  and  made  the  oath  complete, 
'  The  woman  spoke  again  and  answered  thus  : 
1  "  Be  silent  now  :  let  no  one  of  your  friends  440 

*  "Address  me  when  he  meets  me  in  the  street 
' "  Or  at  the  fountain,  lest  one  go  and  tell 

' "  Th'  old  man,  and  he  suspecting  me  should  bind 

4 "  With  grievous  bonds,  and  ruin  plan  for  you. 

'  "  Keep  your  own  counsel ;  quickly  buy  your  stores, 

'  "  And,  when  your  ship  is  of  provisions  full,  '  445 

'  "  Swift  be  your  message  to  the  house  to  me. 

' "  Gold  I  will  bring,  whatever  comes  to  hand. 

'  "  There  is  besides  what  I  would  willingly 

'"Asa  repayment  for  my  passage  give  : 

t  "  For  in  the  house  I  nurse  the  good  man's  son,      450 

'  "  A  clever  child,  who  runs  with  me  abroad  : 

<  "  Him  to  the  ship  I  '11  bring,  and  he  would  gain 

1 "  A  large  price  when  to  foreign  men  ye  go." 

'  Thus  having  said  she  to  the  fair  house  went. 
4  For  a  whole  year,  remaining  there  with  us, 
1  They  gained  by  trade  much  substance  in  the  ship. 
'  They,  when  the  ship  was  loaded  for  return,  455 

'  To  tell  the  woman  sent  a  messenger 
1  To  my  sire's  house.     A  crafty-minded  man 
'  A  golden  necklace  set  with  amber  brought ;  460 

'  The  maidens  and  my  mother  in  the  house 

*  Handled  and  gazed  upon  it  with  their  eyes, 
'  OiTring  a  price.     He  silent  signed  to  her, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV.  53 

*  Aiid  then  departed  to  the  hollow  ship. 

'  Taking  my  hand  she  led  me  out  of  doors  :  465 

'  The  cups  and  tables  in  the  porch  she  found 
1  Of  those  who  feasted,  waiting  on  my  sire, 

*  Who  at  the  assembly  and  the  council  were. 
'She  quickly  hid  three  goblets  in  her  breast 

1  And  bore  them  off :  I  followed  thoughtlessly.         470 
'  The  sun  had  set  and  all  the  ways  were  dark : 

*  We  to  the  far-famed  harbour  quickly  went, 

1  Where  the  Phoenician  sailors'  swift  ship  lay. 

1  Embarking  o'er  the  wat'ry  ways  they  sailed 

'  With  us  on  board ;  Jove  sent  a  fav'ring  breeze.      475 

1  Six  days  we  sailed  along  by  night  and  day ; 

'  When  Jove,  the  son  of  Saturn,  sent  the  sev'nth, 

1  Diana,  th'  archeress,  the  woman  struck ; 

'  In  the  ship's  hold  she  sounded  as  she  fell 

'  Like  to  a  sea-gull,  and  they  threw  her  out, 

'  Of  seals  and  fishes  to  become  the  prey.  480 

'  I  grieving  in  my  heart  was  left,  and  them 

*  The  wind  and  water  brought  to  Ithaca. 

4  There  with  his  wealth  Laertes  purchased  me, 
'  And  thus  I  with  my  eyes  this  land  beheld.' 

Noble  Ulysses  thus  to  him  replied :  485 

*  Eumseus  !  much  thou  hast  my  mind  aroused, 
4  Reciting  all  the  sorrows  thou  hast  borne. 

'  But  Jove  has  placed  beside  thee  good  and  ill, 
'  Since  after  many  labours  thou  hast  come 

*  To  a  kind  master's  house,  who  carefully 

4  Gives  food  and  drink ;  and  thou  a  good  life  liv'st,  490 
4  While  I  o'er  many  towns  come  wandering.' 
They  thus  with  one  another  converse  held ; 


54  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XV. 

Nor  for  long  time,  but  very  brief  they  slept, 

For  the  fair-haired  Aurora  quickly  came. 

But  the  companions  of  Telemachus  495 

Upon  the  shore  unloosed  the  sails,  the  mast 

Took  down,  and  urged  the  ship  into  the  port 

With  oars,  let  go  the  anchors,  bound  the  ropes 

Upon  the  sea-beach,  disembarked  themselves, 

Prepared  a  meal,  and  mixed  the  sparkling  wine.       500 

When  they  were  satisfied  with  food  and  drink, 

Prudent  Telemachus  a  speech  began  : 

'  Ye  to  the  city  now  the  black  ship  row  ; 

t  The  fields  and  herdsmen  I  will  go  to  see, 

1  And  in  the  ev'ning,  having  seen  the  fields,  505 

*  Will  to  the  city  go,  and  in  the  morn 

1  Will  for  your  voyage  give  you  recompense, 
'  A  banquet  good  of  flesh  and  pleasant  wine.' 

Him  Godlike  Theoclymenus  addressed  : 
1  Where  shall  I  go,  dear  son  !  to  what  man's  house 
1  Of  those  who  rule  o'er  rocky  Ithaca,  510 

'  Or  straightway  to  thy  mother's  and  thine  own  1 ' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said : 
c  To  our  own  house  at  any  other  time 
'  I  'd  bid  thee  go  ;  of  hospitality 
'  No  lack  is  there ;  but  'twould  be  worse  for  thee, 

*  For  I  shall  not  be  there  myself,  nor  will  515 
1  My  mother  see  thee  :  rarely  in  the  house 

*  She  to  the  suitors  shows  herself;  apart      * 
1  She  in  an  upper  chamber  weaves  a  web. 

*  But  I  will  tell  thee  of  another  man 

*  To  whom  thou  mayst  go,  to  Eurymachus, 
'  The  noble  son  of  prudent  Polybus, 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XV.  55 

<  Whom  as  a  God  the  Ithacans  regard.  520 

1  He  is  far  best,  and  much  desires  to  wed 

*  My  mother  and  obtain  Ulysses'  rank. 

*  Olympian  Jove  who  dwells  in  air  knows  this, 
1  If  ere  they  wed  their  evil  day  will  come.' 

A  bird  as  thus  he  spake  flew  to  the  right,  525 

A  hawk,  Apollo's  rapid  messenger, 
And  holding  in  his  talons  tore  a  dove, 
And  shed  its  feathers  on  the  ground,  midway 
Between  the  vessel  and  Telemachus. 
From  his  companions  Theoclymenus 
Called  him  apart,  and  grasped  his  hand  and  said :    5.30 
'  Not  without  God,  Telemachus  !  this  bird 
1  Has  on  thy  right  hand  flown ;  I  recognized 

*  The  omen  when  I  saw  it  fronting  us  : 

1  There  is  no  race  more  royal  than  is  yours, 
1  In  Ithaca  ye  always  are  supreme.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied  :  535 

1  Would,  stranger  !  that  thy  word  might  be  fulfilled  ! 

*  Soon  shouldst  thou  know  my  friendship,  and  have  gifts 

*  So  num'rous  that  who  met  would  give  thee  joy.' 

He  then  Peiraeus  his  true  friend  addressed  : 

*  Peiraeus  !  son  of  Clytius  !  thou  art  540 
1  The  one  who  heeds  me  most  of  all  my  friends 

1  Who  went  with  me  to  Pylos ;  to  thine  house 

*  Convey  this  stranger,  treat  him  carefully, 

*  And  honour  him  till  I  myself  shall  come.' 

The  spear -renowned  Peiraeus  answered  him  : 

*  Telemachus  !  however  long  the  time  545 
1  That  thou  mayst  stay,  I  will  take  care  of  him, 

*  Nor  lack  shall  be  of  hospitality.' 


56  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI. 

He  spake,  and  went  on  board  the  ship,  and  bade 
His  friends  embark  and  loose  the  mooring  ropes : 
They  quick  embarked,  and  on  the  benches  sate. 
Telemachus  bound  sandals  on  his  feet,  5&0 

Took  a  strong  jav'lin  tipped  with  sharpened  brass 
From  the  ship's  deck,  and  they  the  cables  loosed, 
Pushed  off  and  to  the  city  sailed,  as  bade 
Telemachus,  divine  Ulysses'  son. 
His  feet  conveyed  him  swiftly  on  the  way, 
Till  to  the  lodge  he  came,  wherein  there  were  555 

Un-numbered  swine,  and  where  the  swineherd,  good 
And  caring  kindly  for  his  masters,  slept. 


BOOK      XVI. 


Ulysses  and  the  swineherd,  in  the  lodge 
Lighting  a  fire,  prepared  their  meal  at  dawn, 
And  sent  the  men  out  with  the  herded  swine. 
The  dogs  fawned  whining  on  Telemachus, 
Nor  barked  at  his  approach.     Ulysses  saw  5 

The  fawning  dogs,  the  sound  of  feet  came  near: 
He  to  Eumseus  spoke  these  winged  words  : 
'  Eumseus  !  sure  'tis  some  one  of  thy  friends, 
*  Or  some  one  known  to  thee  that  comes :  the  dogs 
1  Bark  not  but  fawn  ;  I  hear  the  sound  of  feet.'  10 

The  word  wTas  scarcely  said  when  in  the  porch 
His  dear  son  stood  :  th'  astonished  swineherd  rushed, 
And  from  his  hands  the  vessels  fell,  wherewith 
He  "was  employed  in  mixing  the  dark  wine. 
He  went  to  meet  his  master,  kissed  his  head, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI.  57 

Both  his  fair  eyes  and  both  his  hands,  and  wept.       15 

As  when  a  loving  father  clasps  his  son 

Who  in  the  tenth  year  from  a  strange  land  comes, 

His  only  one,  the  son  of  his  old  age, 

For  whom  he  much  has  grieved ;  the  swineherd  so, 

Clinging  to  the  divine  Telemachus,  20 

Kissed  him  all  over,  as  from  death  escaped, 

And  weeping  spoke  to  him  these  winged  words : 

■  Telemachus  !  my  sweet  light !  art  thou  come  1 

1  I  never  thought  that  I  should  see  thee  more 

'  When  in  the  ship  to  Pylos  thou  didst  go. 

1  But  enter  now,  dear  child  !  that  I  may  joy  25 

1  To  see  thee  in  my  house  arrived  from  far. 

1  Not  to  the  fields  or  herdsmen  oft  thou  com'st, 

'  But  dwellest  in  the  town ;  for  'tis  thy  will 

'  To  look  upon  the  suitors'  wasteful  band.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  :  30 

1  Friend  !  it  shall  be  so ;  for  thy  sake  I  come 
'  To  see  thee  with  mine  eyes  and  hear  thy  news, 
1  If  yet  my  mother  in  the  house  remains, 

*  Or  if  some  other  man  has  married  her, 
'  And  so  Ulysses'  house,  of  furniture 

*  Bereft,  is  by  foul  cobwebs  occupied.'  35 

To  him  the  swineherd,  chief  of  men,  replied  : 
1  She  surely  in  the  palace  still  abides  ; 
1  With  suff'ring  mind  her  mournful  nights  and  days 
'Are  ever  wasting,  while  she  pours  forth  tears.' 

He  spoke,  and  took  from  him  his  brazen  spear :     40 
He  ent'ring  o'er  the  stony  threshold  passed. 
On  his  approach  Ulysses  from  his  seat 
Retired :  Telemachus  refusing  said  : 


58  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI. 

'  Sit,  stranger  !  elsewhere  in  our  lodge  we  '11  find 
1  A  seat ;  here  is  one  who  will  give  it  me.'  45 

Thus  speaking  he  sate  down  j  the  swineherd  spread 
Green  twigs  below  and  put  a  fleece  above, 
And  there  the  dear  son  of  Ulysses  sate. 
Dishes  of  roasted  meat  the  swineherd  placed 
Beside  them,  which  they  lefVthe  day  before 
And  piled  up  bread  in  baskets  hastily, 
And  mingled  sweet  wine  in  an  ivy  cup. 
Fronting  divine  Ulysses  he  sate  down, 
And  on  the  food  prepared  their  hands  they  threw. 
When  they  w7ere  satisfied  with  drink  and  food,  55 

Thus  to  the  swineherd  spoke  Telemachus : 
'  My  friend  !  from  what  land  has  this  stranger  come  1 
1  Did  sailors  him  to  Ithaca  convey  1 
1  Who  do  they  boast  to  be  1  for  not,  I  think, 
/<£X3ould  he  at  all  have  hither  come  by  land.' 

^Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply :  60 

'  My  son  !  then  I  will  tell  thee  all  the  truth  : 

'  From  the  wride  Crete  he  boasts  his  race  to  be, 

'  And  says  that  he  has  gone  a  wanderer 

1  To  many  cities  ;  God  has  destined  this  ; 

'  But  now,  escaped  from  a  Thesprotian  ship,  65 

I  He  to  my  lodge  has  come  ;  to  thee  in  charge 

I I  give  him  :  treat  him  as  thou  wilt,  for  he 
'  Declares  himself  to  be  thy  suppliant.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied  : 
'  Eumseus  !  thou  hast  said  a  grievous  word  : 
'  How  shall  I  lodge  the  stranger  in  my  house  1  70 

'  I  am  but  young,  nor  yet  can  trust  my  hands 
*  To  ward  off  one  who  is  enraged  with  me. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI.  59 

1  My  mother's  mind  is  doubtful  in  her  breast, 

*  Whether  to  stay  with  me  and  guard  the  house, 

*  Her  husband's  couch  respecting  and  her  fame,  75 
\  Or  now  accompany  whoever  best 

*  Among  the  suitors  woos  and  gives  most  gifts. 

1  This  stranger,  since  he  to  thine  house  has  come, 

*  I  will  in  garments  fair,  a  vest  and  cloak, 

*  Array  :  a  two-edged  sword,  and  for  his  feet  80 
1  Will  sandals  give,  and  send  him  where  he  wills. 

'  Thou,  if  thou  wilt,  retaining  in  the  lodge 

*  Take  care  of  him  ;  the  garments  I  will  send, 
'  And  all  his  food  to  eat,  that  so  no  loss 

6  To  thee  and  thy  companions  he  may  cause. 

1  But  that  he  thither  to  the  suitors  go  85 

' 1  cannot  suffer ;  they  have  haughty  pride ; 

1  Lest  they  revile  him  and  there  be  grief  to  me. 

1  'Tis  hard  for  one,  though  brave  he  be,  to  act 

1  Against  a  number,  for  much  stronger  they.' 

To  him  long-suffering  Ulysses  said  :  90 

1  Since  it  is  right,  my  friend  !  that  I  reply  ; — 

*  Ye  vex  my  heart  when  of  the  shameful,  deeds 
'  I  hear,  which  in  the  house  the  suitors  plan, 

1  Ye  say,  against  the  will  of  one  like  thee ; — 

1  Tell  me  if  willingly  thou  dost  submit,  95 

1  Or  if  the  people,  following  the  voice 

1  Of  God,  are  publicly  thine  enemies ; 

'  Or  dost  thou  blame  thy  brothers,  whom  a  man, 

1  Whene'er  a  great  strife  rises,  trusts  in  fight  % 

1  Would  I  had  youth  to  aid  me  in  this  thought, 

*  Or  were  the  excellent  Ulysses'  son,  100 
1  Or  that  himself  came  wandering,  (for  still 


60  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI. 

*  There's  chance  of  hope)  then  might  some  other  man 
4  Cut  off  my  head  if  I  did  not  become 

*  A  mischief  to  them  in  Ulysses'  house  ! 

1  If  by  their  numbers  they  should  conquer  me  105 

*  Standing  alone,  I  would  prefer  to  die 

1  In  my  own  palace  slaughtered  than  to  see 

1  Incessantly  these  unbecoming  deeds, 

'  Strangers  insulted,  men  indecently 

'  Dragging  the  female  servants  through  the  house, 

1  The  wine  continuously  drawn,  and  them  no 

'  Devouring  food  cost-free  and  recklessly, 

'With  object  which  will  never  be  fulfilled.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said : 
1  Then,  stranger  !  I  will  tell  thee  all  the  truth  ; 
4  Neither  the  people  are  mine  enemies, 
'  Nor  do  I  blame  my  brothers,  whom  a  man,  115 

*  Whene'er  a  great  strife  rises  trusts  in  fight. 

*  For  thus  has  Jove  but  single  made  our  race  : 

*  Arcesias  begat  an  only  son, 

*  Laertes ;  he  Ulysses,  him  alone, 

*  Begat ;  again  Ulysses  only  me, 

*  And  in  his  house  he  left  me  nor  enjoyed.  120 
'  Unnumbered  foes  are  therefore  in  his  house ; 

*  As  many  chiefs  as  o'er  the  island  rule, 

'  Dulichium  and  Samos  filled  with  wood, 
1  Zacynthus,  and  who  rule  rough  Ithaca, 

*  So  many  woo  my  mother,  waste  our  house.  125 
1  The  hateful  marriage  neither  she  repels 

i  Nor  can  conclude  it ;  but  they  waste  and  eat 
'  My  substance,  and  will  soon  myself  destroy. 
6  But  all  these  things  are  in  the  Gods'  lap  laid. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI.  61 

i  Dear  friend  i  go  quick  and  tell  Penelope  130 

*  That  I  am  safe  and  have  from  Pylos  come. 

*  I  will  stay  here ;  when  thou  hast  told  the  news 

*  To  her  alone,  do  thou  again  return  ; 

'  Let  no  one  of  the  other  Grecians  hear, 
'  For  many  are  against  me  plotting  ills.' 

Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  :         135 
'  I  know ;  I  see ;  thou  speak'st  to  one  who  thinks. 
1  But  come  now  tell  me  this  and  tell  me  true, 

*  Shall  I  this  same  way  to  Laertes  go, 

1  Ill-fated  man,  a  messenger  ?  he  once, 

'  Much  for  Ulysses  grieving,  overlooked  140 

'  The  works,  and  with  the  servants  in  the  house 

'  Did  eat  and  drink,  as  in  his  breast  his  mind 

'  Commanded  ;  but  since  thou  to  Pylos  went'st 

'  They  say  he  eats  and  drinks  not,  nor  o'erlooks 

*  The  works,  but  grieving  sits  with  groans  and  sobs, 

*  And  that  his  flesh  is  wasting  round  his  bones. '       145 

Prudent  Telemachus  to  him  replied  : 

*  Tis  sad  j  but  we  will  leave  him  though  he  grieves. 
4  If  all  things  by  their  own  choice  were  to  men, 

'  I  first  would  choose  my  sire's  returning  day. 

1  But  thou,  when  thou  hast  told  thy  news,  return,   150 

1  Nor  wander  in  the  country  after  him, 

*  But  bid  my  mother  urge  her  handmaiden, 

'  The  house-keeper,  to  go  by  stealth  with  speed ; 

*  She  may  the  message  to  the  old  man  take.' 

He  spake  and  urged  the  swineherd ;  in  his  hand 
He  took  his  sandals,  braced  them  on  his  feet, 
And  to  tfce  town  went.     Going  from  the  lodge         155 
Eumseus  was  not  from  Minerva  hid, 


62  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI. 

But  she  came  near  and  in  her  form  was  like 

A  fair  large  woman,  skilled  in  beauteous  works, 

And  in  the  porch  stood,  by  Ulysses  seen ; 

Telemachus  nor  saw  her  nor  perceived,  160 

For  the  Gods  are  not  clearly  shewn  to  all. 

Ulysses  saw  her  and  the  dogs ;  but  they 

Barked  not,  but  with  a  whimper  fled  apart. 

She  with  her  brows  made  sign  :  Ulysses  saw, 

And  from  the  house  outside  the  great  wall  came      165 

And  fronted  her  j  and  thus  Minerva  spake  : 

1  Ulysses  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

'  Tell  now  thy  son  thy  purpose  nor  conceal, 

'  That,  plotting  for  the  suitors'  death  and  fate, 

*  To  the  famed  city  ye  may  go,  and  I  170 
j  Eager  to  fight  not  long  will  absent  be. ' 

She  spake,  and  touched  him  with  a  golden  rod ; 
A  well-washed  cloak  and  tunic  first  she  placed 
About  his  breast,  improved  his  form  and  youth ; 
Again  his  flesh  grew  swart,  his  cheeks  filled  out,      175 
And  a  dark  beard  sprang  up  about  his  chin. 
So  did  she  and  retreated ;  to  the  lodge 
Ulysses  went  while  his  dear  son  admired, 
And  turned  his  eyes  on  either  side,  alarmed 
Lest  'twere  some  God,  and  spoke  these  winged  words : 
l.  Stranger  !  thou  seemest  other  than  thou  wert ;       iso 

*  Thou  wearest  other  vests  ;  unlike  thy  flesh ; 

1  Sure  thou  'rt  some  God  of  those  in  heav'n  who  dwell. 
'  But  be  propitious  to  us,  that  to  thee 
■  We  may  give  grateful  offerings,  and  gifts 
'  Made  of  wrought  gold  ;  forbear  to  do  us  harm.'     185 
Long-suffering  Ulysses  answered  him  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI.  63 

1  No  God  am  I ;  why,  dost  thou  liken  me 

*  To  the  immortals  m  I  thy  father  am, 

'  For  whom  thou  groaning  bearest  many  griefs, 

*  Submitting  to  the  violence  of  men/S 

He  spake,  and  kissed  his  son,  and  down  his  cheeks 
Let  fall  the  tear  which  he  restrained  before.  lQ%%3C 

Telemachus,  for  he  did  not  believe  C^cr*^^ 

That  'twas  his  father,  thus  forthwith  replied  : ^ """ 
'  Not  thou  Ulysses  art,  my  father  ;  but  a  God 
1  Deludes  me,  that  I  more  may  grieve  and  groan.     195 

*  No  mortal  could  himself  such  things  contrive 

*  Of  his  own  mind,  unless  a  God  should  come, 

'  And  wish  to  make  with  ease  one  young  or  old. 
6  For  thou  wert  lately  old  and  meanly  clad ; 
1  Now  like  the  Gods  who  in  the  wide  sky  dwell.'       200 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  aud  said : 

*  Telemachus  !  it  is  not  right  that  thou 

1  Shouldst  wonder  over  much,  and  marvel  at 

*  Thine  own  dear  father  now  within  the  house. 
'  There  will  no  different  Ulysses  come  ; 

*  But  here  am  I  that  man,  who  suffered  woes  205 

*  And  wandered  much,  and  in  the  twentieth  year 
' 1  have  arrived  at  my  paternal  land. 

*  This  is  Minerva's  work,  who  made  me  such 

'  As  she  would  have  me,  for  she  has  the  power ; 

'  At  one  time  like  a  beggar,  then  again 

J  Like  to  a  youth  with  fair  vests  on  his  flesh.  210 

r  'Tis  easy  for  the  Gods  in  heav'n  who  dwell ) 
V  To  glorify  a  mortal  and  debase.' 

So  speaking  he  sate  down ;  Telemachus 

Clung  to  his  noble  sire  and  wailed  and  wept. 


64  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI. 

To  both  of  them  came  mourning  ;  and  they  wept     215 
Loudly  and  more  incessantly  than  birds, 
Ospreys,  or  crook-clawed  vultures,  whose  young  brood 
The  countrymen  have  snatched,  ere  fledged,  away ; 
So  from  their  eyes  the  piteous  tear  they  dropped ; 
And  while  they  wept  the  sun's  light  would  have  set, 
Had  not  Telemachus  his  sire  addressed  :  220 

'  Dear  father  !  in  what  ship  to  Ithaca 

*  Did  sailors  bring  thee  1  who  boast  they  to  be  ? 

*  For,  as  I  think,  thou  didst  not  come  by  land.' 
-/Long-suffering  Ulysses  answered  him  :  225 
My  son  !  I  will  then  tell  thee  all  the  truth  : 

he  ship-renowned  Phaeacians  brought  me,  men 
1  Who  convoy  all  whoever  to  them  comes. 

*  They  in  a  swift  ship  brought  me  o'er  the  sea 

c  Asleep,  and  set  me  down  in  Ithaca.  230 

'  They  gave  me  splendid  presents,  brass  and  gold, 

1  And  woven  vests  abundantly,  and  these 

1  By  the  Gods'  instigation  lie  in  caves. 

' 1  by  Minerva's  counsels  hither  came, 

1  That  for  our  enemies  we  death  may  plan. 

'  Come  !  count  the  suitors  up  that  I  may  know        235 

'  How  many  of  them  and  what  men  they  are ; 

*  And  taking  thought  I  will  deliberate 
'  If  we  two  without  others  can  alone 

'  Resist  them,  or  for  other  men  must  seek.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  :  ,   240 

1  Father  !  I  always  heard  of  thy  great  fame, 

*  In  hands  a  warrior,  and  incounsel  wjse^. 

1  Too  great  the  deed  thou  speakest  of,  and  awe 
'  Possesses  me ;  'twould  not  be  possible 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI.  6-5 

1  That  two  with  many  strong  men  should  contend. 

*  Not  ten  nor  twice  ten  men  the  suitors  are,  245 
1  But  many  more-;  their  number  thou  shalt  know. 

*  Fifty-two  chosen  youths  (six  serving  men 

*  Attend  upon  them)  from  Dulichium  ; 

1  From  Samos  there  are  four-and -twenty  men, 

'  And  from  Zacynthus  twenty  Grecian  youths ;         250 

'  Twelve  are  from  Ithaca  itself,  all  chiefs. 

(  Medon,  a  herald  and  a  bard  divine, 

1  Is  with  them,  and  two  servants  skilled  to  carve. 

'  If  we  should  meet  with  all  of  them  within, 

*  To  thine  own  bitterness  and  woe,  I  fear,  255 

*  Thou  wouldst  take  vengeance  on  their  violence. 

*  Bethink  thee  then  if  thd^Binst  fix  upon 
'Some  one  with  willing  nSm  to  aid  us  two.' 

To  him  long-suffering  Ulysses  said  : 

*  Then  I  will  tell  thee ;  understand  and  hear. 

*  Think  if  Minerva,  joined  with  father  Jove,  260 
'  Suffice,  or  other  helper  I  shall  seek.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  in  turn  replied  : 
1  Good  helpers  are  the  two  thou  speakest  of, 
1  Though  sitting  in  the  clouds  aloft,  who  rule 
1  O'er  other  men  and  the  immortal  Gods  !'  265 

To  him  long-suffering  Ulysses  said  : 
'  These  from  the  fierce  fight  will  not  distant  be 
'  Long  time,  when  in  my  house  the  strength  of  Mars 

*  Is  tried  between  the  suitors  and  ourselves. 

1  But  go  thou  home  with  the  appearing  morn,  270 

1  And  with  the  faithless  suitors  converse  hold  : 

*  Me  afterwards  the  swineherd  to  the  town, 
'  Like  a  mean  aged  beggar,  shall  conduct. 


$6  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI. 

'  If  in  the  house  they  shall  dishonour  me, 

'  When  I  am  outraged  let  thine  heart  endure.  275 

*  If  through  the  house  they  drag  me  by  the  feet, 
'  Or  strike  with  blows,  look  on  and  still  forbear ; 
1  Still  bid  them  from  their  foolishness  to  cease, 

1  With  mild  words  soothing  them ;  but  they  will  not 

1  Obey  thee,  for  their  fatal  day  stands  near.  280 

'  Another  thing  I  tell  thee,  weigh  it  well : 

1  ffihen  the  much-counsellino^Minerva  prompts .^^ 

'  My  mind,  I  will  make  signal  with  my  head ; 

'  Marking  it,  take  whatever  warlike  arms 

'  Lie  in  the  house  to  the  high  room's  recess,  285 

1  And  place  all  there,  but  with  mild  words  beguile 

i  The  suitors,  when  they  miss  them  and  enquire  : 

* "  Out  of  the  smoke  I  place  them,  for  no  more 

*  "  Are  they  like  those  which  when  he  went  to  Troy 

'  "  Ulysses  left  behind  j  they  have  been  soiled  290 

'  "  Where  the  fire's  vapour  reached  them  ;  and  besides 
'  "  The  son  of  Saturn  has  this  greater  thing 
'  "  Placed  in  my  mind,  lest  ye,  o'ercome  by  wine, 
1 "  Should  raise  a  quarrel  and  each  other  wound, 
1  "  And  on  the  feast  and  wooing  bring  disgrace  ; 
'  "  For  of  itself  the  steel  excites  a  man." 

*  Leave  for  us  two  alone,  two  swords,  two  spears,     295 

*  Two  shields  of  bull's  hj^e  in  our  hands  to  take, 

*  That  we  may  rush  and  seize  them  ;  afterwards 

*  Pallas  and  Jove  will  make  them  cowardly. 
4  Another  thing  I  tell  thee,  weigh  it  well : 

*  If  truly  thou  art  mine  and  of  our  blood,  300 
1  Let  none  hear  that  Ulysses  is  within, 

*  Nor  let  Laertes  nor  the  swineherd  know, 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XVI.  67 

1  No  servant,  not  Penelope  herself ; 

*  But  thou  and  I  alone  will  ascertain 

*  The  women's  tendency,  and  try  besides 

4  The  men-servants,  who  honours  us  and  fears,         305 

*  Who  scorns  us  and  dishonours  one  like  theey 

His  noble  son  addressed  him  in  reply  : 

*  Father  !  I  think  hereafter  thou  wilt  know 

1  My  mind,  for  no  mean  spirit  keeps  me  back.  310 

I  Thy  plan  will  not,  I  think,  of  service  be 

1  To  you  or  me ;  I  urge  thee  to  reflect. 

'  Thou  wilt  be  long  in  trying  ev'ry  man, 

1  And  going  o'er  the  lands,  while  in  the  house 

1  They  undisturbed  by  force  thy  goods  consume,       315 

*  Nor  is  there  sparing  ;  but  I  recommend 

*  That  of  the  women  thou  distinction  make, 

*  Who  thee  dishonour  and  who  guiltless  are. 

' 1  would  not  try  the  men  at  their  abodes,  ,     -^ 

1  But  manage  these  things  afterwards,  if  thou         ^^ 
1  Some  true  sig*  know'st  from  segis-bearing  Jove.     320 

'Twas  thus  with  one  another  they  conversed. 
Meanwhile  at  Ithaca  the  well-built  ship, 
Which  bore  Telemachus  and  all  his  friends 
From  Pylos,  touched ;  they,  when  they  came  within 
The  deep  port,  drew  the  black  ship  on  the  land,       325 
And  the  brave  crew  the  tackling  bore  away. 
They  quickly  to  house  of  Clytius 
Carried  the  beauteous  gifts,  and  forward  sent 
A  herald  to  Ulysses'  house,  to  tell 
The  tidings  to  the  wise  Penelope, 
How  that  Telemachus  had  reached  the  land,  330 

And  to  the  city  bade  the  ship  to  sail, 


68  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XVI. 

Lest  the  illustrious  queen  alarmed  should  shed 

A  tender  tear.     The  two  together  met, 

The  herald  and  the  noble  swineherd,  each 

With  the  same  message  charged  to  tell  the  queen. 

When  to  the  palace  of  the  godlike  king  335 

They  came,  the  herald  mid  the  handmaids  said : 

*  0  queen  !  thy  dear  son  has  but  now  arrived.' 

The  swineherd,  standing  near  Penelope, 
Told  all  her  dear  son  bade  him  tell,  and,  when 
He  had  told  all  the  message,  to  the  swine  340 

He  went  and  left  the  court -yards  and  the  house. 
The  suitors  grieved  and  were  dispirited : 
They  from  the  house  beside  the  courts'  great  wall 
Came,  and  before  the  portals  took  their  seats. 
Eurymachus,  of  Polybus  the  son, 
Began  to  speak  :  '  My  friends  a  mighty  deed,  345 

'  This  voyage,  has  been  by  Telemachus 
'  Done  proudly,  though  we  said  it  would  not  be. 
'  Come,  let  us  launch  the  black  ship  which  is  best, 

*  And  get  together  mariners  to  row, 

'  Who  may  those  men  bid  home  to  come  with  speed.' 
All  was  not  said  before  Amphinomus,  350 

As  from  his  place  he  turned,  beheld  the  ship 
In  the  deep  port,  the  sailors  furling  sails, 
And  holding  in  their  hands  the  oars.     He  laughed, 
And  thus  he  pleasantly  addressed  his  friends  : 

*  No  message  let  us  send  ;  the  men  are  here  :  355 
'  Either  some  God  has  told  them,  or  themselves 

'  Have  seen  but  could  not  reach  the  passing  ship.' 

He  spake  :  they  rising  to  the  sea-shore  went, 
And  swiftly  drew  the  black  ship  to  the  land, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI.  G9 

While  the  brave  crew  the  tackling  bore  away.  300 

They  to  th'  assembly  in  a  body  went, 

Nor  suffered  young  or  old  to  sit  with  them. 

Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  thus  spoke  : 

■  0  how  the  Gods  have  freed  this  man  from  harm  ! 

*  The  spies  have  sat  upon  the  windy  heights  365 
1  For  days  successively  ;  we  never  slept 

*  When  the  sun  set  at  night  upon  the  laud, 

*  But  sailing  in  the  swift  ship  out  at  sea 

'  Watched  till  the  morning  for  Telemachus, 

*  Lying  in  wait  to  take  him  and  destroy  ;  370 
4  The  Deity  meanwhile  has  brought  him  home  ; 

1  But  let  us  for  Telemachus  devise 

1  Destruction.     May  he  not  escape  !  I  think 

*  That  while  he  lives  our  deeds  will  not  be  done, 
'  For  he  is  skilled  in  counsel  and  in  thought, 

*  Nor  do  the  people  favour  us  at  all.  375 

*  Come  !  ere  to  council  he  collects  the  Greeks, 

*  (He  will  not,  as  I  think,  desist,  but  will 

*  Be  wroth,  and.  rising  up  will  tell  them  all, 

4  That  we  his  death  planned  but  did  not  succeed; 

*  They  hearing  evil  deeds  will  not  approve  ;)  380 
'  Lest  they  assail  and  drive  us  from  our  land, 

4  And  to  another  people  we  should  go. 
4  Let  us  be  first  and  kill  him  in  the  field 
'  Or  on  the  road,  far  distant  from  the  town : 

*  Then  let  us  seize  his  goods  and  portion  them         385 

*  Among  ourselves,  and  to  his  mother  give, 

*  And  to  whoever  marries  her,  his  house. 

*  If  my  words  please  you  not,  but  if  you  wish 

4  That  he  should  live  and  have  his  father's  goods, 


70  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI. 

'  From  henceforth  let  us  not  assembled  here 

*  Consume  his  mind-delighting  goods,  but  each         390 
'  From  his  own  palace,  courting  her  with  gifts, 

*  Woo  her,  and  let  her  after  marry  him 

1  Who  gives  most  gifts  and  comes  designed  by  fate.* 

He  spake :  they  all  in  perfect  silence  sate. 
Them  next  Amphinomus  harangued,  the  son 
Of  Nisus,  son  of  King  Aretias,  395 

Who  led  the  suitors  from  Dulichium, 
Fertile  in  wheat  and  grass,  who  by  his  words 
Most  pleased  Penelope,  for  wise  was  he. 
He  wishing  well  to  them  harangued  and  said : 
1  My  friends  !  I  would  not  kill  Telemachus  :  400 

1  'Tis  dreadful  to  kill  one  of  royal  race. 
'  First  let  us  ask  the  counsel  of  the  Gods  ; 
'  If  great  Jove's  oracles  advise  it,  I 

*  Myself  will  kill  him  and  exhort  the  rest ; 

'  But  if  the  Gods  dissent  I  bid  you  cease.'  405 

Thus  spake  Amphinomus ;  his  speech  pleased  well. 
Then  rising,  to  Ulysses'  house  they  went, 
And  when  they  came  sate  down  on  polished  thrones. 
Prudent  Penelope  had  other  thoughts, 
Before  the  haughty  suitors  to  appear,  410 

For  of  her  son's  death  in  the  house  she  heard  : 
Medon  the  herald,  who  o'erheard  their  plans, 
Had  told  her  :  she,  attended  by  her  maids, 
Went  to  the  palace.     When  the  noble  dame 
Had  to  the  suitors'  presence  come,  she  stood 
Beside  a  column  of  the  well-made  roof,  415 

Holding  a  fine  wrought  veil  before  her  face, 
Chided  and  thus  addressed  Antinous  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVI.  71 

1  Antinous  !  thou  man  of  violence 

1  And  wicked  plans  !  and  yet  they  say  that  thou 

*  In  counsel  and  in  speech  art  eminent 

'  Among  those  of  like  age  in  Ithaca ;  420 

1  But  not  such  truly  art  thou.     Madman  !  why 
1  Plot  death  and  fate  against  Telemachus, 
1  Nor  pay  regard  to  suppliants,  of  whom 
' Jove  is  protector  1  'tis  no  holy  rule 

*  Against  each  other  evil  deeds  to  plan. 

1  Know'st  thou  not  how  thy  father  hither  came 
'  A  fugitive,  and  feared  the  people's  wrath  ]  425 

1  For  they  were  much  enraged,  since  he  had  done,    . 
'  In  the  pursuit  of  Taphian  pirates,  wrong 

*  To  the  Thesprotians  who  were  friends  of  ours. 

1  They  would  have  killed  him,  torn  out  his  dear  heart, 

1  And  of  his  great  fair  substance  made  a  prey  : 

1  Ulysses  hindered  them  and  kept  them  off  430 

*  Though  eager.     Now  his  house  thou  dost  consume 

*  Dishonourably,  and  dost  woo  his  wife, 

*  And  slay  his  son  and  cause  great  grief  to  me : 

*  I  bid  thee  cease  thyself  and  others  urge.' 

Eurymachus,  the  son  of  Poly  bus, 
To  her  replied  :  *  0  wise  Penelope  !  435 

•'  The  daughter  of  Icarius  !  take  heart ; 

*  Let  not  these  things  be  to  thy  mind  a  care : 

*  There  is  not,  nor  will  ever  be,  the  man 

*  Who  on  thy  son  Telemachus  will  lay 

1  His  hands,  while  I  still  live  and  see  the  light. 

*  For  thus  I  say  and  it  shall  be  performed  :  4  to 

*  His  black  blood  soon  shall  flow  around  our  spear. 
'  For  brave  Ulysses,  often  placing  me 


i'l  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XVI. 

'  Upon  his  knees,  put  roast  flesh  in  my  hands, 

'  And  red  wine  gave  me  :  so  Telemachus  415 

'  Is  of  all  men  most  dear  to  me,  and  death 

1 1  would  not  have  him  from  the  suitors  fear, 

c  But  from  the  Gods  there  can  be  no  escape.' 

He  spoke  to  cheer  her,  but  her  son's  death  planned.^ 
She,  mounting  to  the  shining  upper  rooms, 
Mourned  her  dear  spouse  Ulysses,  till  sweet  sleep    450 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  on  her  eyelids  shed. 
The  swineherd  to  Ulysses  and  his  son 
At  ev'ning  came  ;  their  meal  they  skilfully 
Made  ready,  having  slain  a  yearling  swine. 
Minerva,  standing  by  Laertes'  son  4,55 

Ulysses,  touched  him  with  her  rod  :  again 
Made  him  an  old  man,  sordid  garments  put 
About  his  flesh,  lest  when  the  swineherd  saw 
He  should  discover  him,  and  go  to  tell 
Prudent  Penelope,  nor  keep  it  back. 
Telemachus  then  first  addressed  him  thus  :  460 

'  Eumseus  !  thou  art  come  ;  say  what  report 
'  Is  in  the  city  %  are  the  suitors  there 
1  From  ambush,  or  still  w^ait  they  my  return  V 

Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  : 

*  No  care  was  mine  these  things  to  seek  or  ask         4G5 
1  In  passing  through  the  town  j  'twas  my  desire, 

'  Quick,  having  told  my  message,  to  return. 

*  But  from  thy  friends  a  rapid  messenger, 
6  A  herald,  met  me,  who  was  first  to  tell 

'  The  tidings  to  thy  mother.     This  besides 

'  I  know,  for  I  beheld  it  with  my  eyes  :  4;o 

'  Above  the  town,  where  is  th'  Hermaean  mound, 


? 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVII.  73 

*  As  I  was  going,  I  a  swift  ship  saw 

1  Ent'ring  our  port :  therein  were  many  men, 

*  And  it  was  filled  with  shields  and  two-edged  swords  : 

*  I  think  'twas  they,  but  yet  I  do  not  know.'  475 

He  spake  :  Telemachus  glanced  at  his  sire, 
And  smiled,  but  shunned  to  let  the  swineherd  see. 
When  from  their  toil  they  ceased  and  had  prepared 
The  meal,  they  feasted,  nor  their  mind  did  lack 
The  equally  divided  banquet.     When 
Their  wish  for  food  and  drink  they  satisfied,  480 

They  thought  of  bed  and  took  the  gift  of  sleep. 


BOOK      XVII. 


When  early  rosy -fingered  morn  appeared, 

Telemachus,  divine  Ulysses'  son, 

His  beauteous  sandals  braced  beneath  his  feet, 

Took  the  strong  spear  which  fitted  well  his  hands, 

Bound  for  the  town,  and  to  his  swineherd  said  : 

1  Old  friend  !  I  now  am  going  to  the  town 

'  To  let  my  mother  see  me  ;  for  I  think 

*  She  will  not  cease  from  groans  and  tearful  grief 

*  Before  she  sees  me ;  but  I  charge  thee  thus  : 

*  Lead  the  unhappy  stranger  to  the  town,  10 
■  That  he  may  beg  for  food  there  :  whoso  wills, 

*  A  meal-cake  and  a  cup  of  wine  may  give. 
1  It  is  not  possible  that  I  should  all 


74  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII. 

1  Maintain,  who  suffer  sorrows  in  my  mind. 

'  Wroth  if  the  stranger  be,  'twill  for  himself 

1  Be  sadder,  for  I  love  to  speak  the  truth.'  15 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 
'  My  friend  !  I  have  no  wish  to  be  detained ; 
1  'Tis  for  a  beggar  better  in  the  town 
1  Than  in  the  fields  to  go  and  beg  his  food. 
'  Who  wills  will  give ;  I  am  not  of  such  age 
'  As  at  the  stalls  to  linger  and  obey  20 

'  A  master,  who  in  all  things  gives  command. 
1  But  come  !  this  man  will  lead  me  where  thou  bidd'st, 
'  When  I  am  warmed  with  fire,  and  sunshine  comes, 
'  [For  mean  these  garments  which  I  sadly  wrear]  : 
1  Lest  morning's  early  frost  upon  me  fall ; 
1  For,  as  ye  say,  far  distant  is  the  town.'  25 

He  spake  :  Telemachus  wrent  through  the  lodge 
With  speed,  and  for  the  suitors  brooded  woes. 
But  when  he  to  the  well-built  house  had  come, 
On  a  high  column  he  upreared  his  spear, 
Entered,  and  o'er  the  marble  threshold  passed.  30 

Euryclea,  the  nurse,  espied  him  first, 
As  on  the  painted  thrones  she  fleeces  spread, 
And  weeping  went  to  meet  him  ;  crowding  round 
The  other  handmaids  of  Ulysses  came,  U*, 

Y/\ 


And,  clasping  him,  his  head  and  shoulders  kissed.      35 
/frorth  from  her  chamber  wise  Penelope, 
/  Like  golden  Venus  or  Diana,  came, 
And  weeping  round  her  dear  son  threw  her  arms ;  \ 
His  head  she  kissed  and  both  his  beauteous  eyes, 
And  weeping  spake  to  him  these  winged  words  :        40 
Telemachus  !  my  sweet  light !  thou  art  come. 


J 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  75 

*  I  never  thought  to  see  thee  any  more, 

*  When  in  the  ship  to  Pylos,  secretly 

1  Against  my  will,  thou  wentest  to  hear  news 

*  Of  thy  dear  sire  ;  come  tell  what  thou  hast  seen.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  in  turn  replied  :  45 

*  My  mother  !  cause  not  grief  to  me,  nor  rouse 

*  My  heart,  who  have  from  dreadful  death  escaped. 
'  But  bathe  thyself  and  put  fresh  garments  on ; 
'Go  to  thine  upper  chamber  with  thy  maids, 

'  To  all  the  Gods  vow  perfect  hecatombs,  50 

'  If  Jove  will  deeds  of  vengeance  execute. 

'  But  to  the  forum  I  will  go  to  call 

1 A  stranger  who  attended  me  from  thence. 

1  As  I  came  hither  him  I  forward  sent 

1  With  my  brave  comrades,  and  Piraeus  bade  55 

1  To  take  him  to  his  house  and  entertain, 

'  And  honour  heartily,  till  I  should  come.' 

He  spake  and  not  unheeded  flew  his  word. 
She  bathed  herself  and  put  fresh  garments  on, 
To  all  the  Gods  vowed  perfect  hecatombs, 
If  Jove  would  deeds  of  vengeance  execute.  60 

Then  from  the  house  went  forth  Telemachus, 
Holding  his  spear  ;  the  swift  dogs  followed  him. 
Minerva  on  him  poured  a  grace  divine, 
And  all  the  people  as  he  went  admired. 
The  haughty  suitors  round  him  thickly  came,  65 

And  speaking  fair  planned  evil  in  their  mind. 
Of  these  he  shunned  the  gathered  crowd,  but  where 
Sate  Mentor,  Alitherses,  Antiphus, 
Who  from  the  first  were  his  paternal  friends, 
He  went  and  sate  ;  they  ev'ry  thing  enquired. 


76  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XVII. 

Piraeus,  famous  for  the  spear,  came  nigh,  70 

And  through  the  city  to  the  forum  brought 
The  stranger,  nor  from  him  Telemachus 
Was  long  apart,  but  came  and  by  him  stood. 
Piraeus  then  addressed  him  first  and  said  : 
'  Telemachus  !  the  women  urge  to  go  75 

1  Quick  fo  my  house,  that  I  may  send  away 
1  The  gifts  which  Menelaus  gave  to  thee.' 
Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 
1  We  know  not  how,  Piraeus  !  things  will  be  ; 

I  If  the  proud  suitors  slay  me  secretly, 

'  And  in  the  house  my  father's  goods  divide,  80 

I I  wish  that  thou  thyself,  or  one  of  these, 

'  Should  keep  them  and  enjoy ;  but  if  for  them 
•  I  death  and  fate  contrive,  do  thou  the  gifts 
'  Rejoicing  bring  to  me  rejoicing  home.' 

He  spake,  and  led  the  much-worn  stranger  home  : 
But  when  they  to  the  well-built  house  had  come,      85 
They  laid  their  cloaks  down  on  the  seats  and  thrones, 
And  to  the  polished  cauldrons  went  and  bathed. 
Them  when  the  maids  had  bathed  and  rubbed  with  oil, 
They  threw  around  them  woollen  cloaks  and  vests, 
And  coming  from  the  baths  on  thrones  sat  down.      90 
From  a  fair  golden  ewer  a  maiden  filled 
A  bowl,  above  a  silver  cauldron  placed, 
To  wash,  and  laid  a  polished  table  near. 
The  venerable  house-keeper  brought  bread 
And  set  it  near  them,  bringing  many  meats 
To  gratify  them  with  what  food  there  was.  95 

His  mother  near  a  column  of  the  house 
Sate  in  the  front  of  him,  and  on  a  couch 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XVII.  77 

Reclining  twined  her  slender  spindle  round. 
Upon  the  food  prepared  their  hands  they  threw. 
When  they  with  meat  and  drink  were  satisfied, 
Prudent  Penelope  a  speech  began  :  100 

*  Telemachus  !  I  to  my  upper  room 
1  Will  go,  and  on  my  bed,  made  sad  for  me, 
'  Ever  besprinkled  with  my  tears,  since  when 

*  Ulysses  with  th'  Atridse  went  to  Troy, 

*  Will  lay  me  down  :  thou  hast  not  dared,  before 

1  The  haughty  suitors  hither  came,  to  tell  105 

*  If  of  thy  sire's  return  thou  aught  hast  heard.' 
^rVrhe  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 

I   ylTien,  mother  !  I  will  tell  thee  all  the  truth. 
jy^To  Pylos  and  King  Nestor  we  repaired  : 

r    *  He  in  his  lofty  house  receiving  me  110 

'•Treated  with  kindness,  as  a  father  might 
'  A  son  when  newly  come  from  other  lands ; 
1  He  with  his  noble  sons  so  cared  for  me  : 
'  He  said  that  not  from  any  men  on  earth 

*  He  had  of  suffering  Ulysses  heard, 

1  Either  alive  or  dead,  but  sent  me  on  115 

'  To  valiant  Menelaus,  Atreus'  son, 

'  With  horses  and  a  well-built  chariot. 

'  The  Argive  Helen  there  I  saw,  for  whom 

'  By  Gods'  will  Greeks  and  Trojans  laboured  much. 

'  Then  Menelaus,  in  the  war-shout  brave,  12o 

'Asked  for  what  cause  to  Sparta  I  had  come, 

1  And  I  recited  to  him  all  the  truth  : 

'  And  then  he  thus  addressed  me  in  reply : 

1 "  0  strange  it  is  that  in  a  strong  man's  bed 

' "  They  should,  so  mean  themselves,  desire  to  lie  !  125 


78  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII. 

' "  It  is  as  though  in  some  fierce  lion's  lair 

*  "A  hind  should  leave  her  new-born  suckling  fawns 
* "  Asleep,  while  she  explores  the  woody  slopes 

1 "  And  grassy  glens  in  search  of  food,  and  he, 

1 "  Returning  after  to  his  den,  should  slay  130 

*  "  Them  both  ;  and  thus  Ulysses  them  will  slay. 
'  "  0  father  Jove  !  Minerva  !  Phoebus  !  would 

'  "  He  such  were  now  as  in  fair  Lesbos  once, 
'  "  A  wrestler  matched  with  Philomeleus'  son, 

*  "  Whom  he  o'erthrew,  and  all  the  Greeks  rejoiced ;  135 
1  "  Would  that  Ulysses  such  the  suitors  met ; 

* "  Their  fate  would  swift,  their  marriage  bitter  be. 

'  "  As  to  thy  questions  and  thy  pray'rs,  I  will 

'  "  Nor  give  evasive  answers  nor  deceive. 

'  "  What  the  old  prophet  of  the  sea  declared  140 

' "  I  will  not  hide,  nor  will  conceal  a  word. 

'  "  He  said  that  he  had  seen  him,  shedding  tears 

'  "  And  bearing  many  sorrows  in  an  isle, 

'  "  In  nymph  Calypso's  house,  who  him  by  force 

' "  Detained,  nor  could  he  to  his  country  go, 

*  "  For  he  had  neither  well-oared  ships  nor  friends  145 
'  "  To  take  him  o'er  the  broad  back  of  the  sea." 

'  Thus  Atreus'  son,  brave  Menelaus,  spake. 

*  When  this  I  had  accomplished  I  returned  : 
1  Th'  immortals  gave  to  me  a  fav'ring  breeze, 

*  And  quickly  sent  me  to  my  native  land.' 

He  spake,  and  stirred  her  mind  within  her  breast. 
Then  Theocly menus  addressed  her  thus  :  150 

1  0  honoured  Lady  !  of  Laertes  son 
'  Ulysses'  wife  !   he  knows  not  clearly  all ; 

*  But  hear  my  words,  for  1  will  truly  speak 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  79 

1  In  prophecy,  nor  will  I  aught  conceal. 

*  First  of  the  Gods  let  Jove  a  witness  be,  155 

*  This  hospitable  table,  and  the  hearth 

*  Of  famed  Ulysses  unto  which  I  come, 
'  That  even  now  in  his  paternal  land 

*  Ulysses  sits  or  walks,  and  makes  a  search 
1  Into  these  wicked  deeds  and  evil  plans, 

1  Against  the  suitors.     In  the  well-benched  ship       160 

*  As  I  was  sitting  I  such  augury 

1  Beheld,  and  told  it  to  Telemachus.' 

To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied : 
'  Would,  stranger  !  that  thy  word  might  be  fulfilled  ! 
'Soon  shouldst  thou  know  my  friendship,  and  have 

gifts 
'  So  num'rous  that  who  met  would  give  thee  joy.'    165 
''As  they  with  one  another  thus  conversed, 
The  suitors  meanwhile  in  Ulysses'  hall 
In  hurling  quoits  and  jav'lins  took  delight 
On  the  smooth  pavement,  haughty  as  before. 
When  it  was  supper-time,  and  from  the  field  170 

The  sheep  and  men  who  used  to  lead  them  came, 
Medon,  who  of  the  heralds  pleased  them  most 
And  waited  at  their  feast,  addressed  them  thus : 
'  Youths  !   now  that  all  have  with  the  games  been 

pleased, 
'  Come  to  the  house  that  we  may  make  a  feast ;       175 
'  'Tis  no  bad  thing  at  fitting  time  to  sup.' 

He  spake :  they  rising  up  his  word  obeyed. 
But  when  they  to  the  well-built  house  had  come, 
They  laid  their  cloaks  upon  the  seats  and  thrones, 
And  sacrificed  large  sheep  and  well-fed  goats,  iso 


80  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVII. 

Fat  swine,  and  slaughtered  from  the  herd  a  cow, 

The  feast  preparing.     Town-ward  from  the  field 

Ulysses  and  the  swineherd  went  with  speed. 

The  swineherd,  chief  of  men,  a  speech  began  : 

6  Stranger  !  since  thou  desirest  to  the  town  i85 

'  To  go  to-day,  as  bade  my  master,  go : 

*  I  should  have  wished  that  thou  wouldst  stay  to  guard 

*  The  stalls ;  but  him  I  reverence  and  dread, 
'  Lest  he  should  chide  hereafter,  and  severe 

*  Are  master's  chidings ;  but  come  let  us  go  \ 

'Day  fast  declines,  at  eve  'twill  colder  be.'  190 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 
1 1  know,  I  see  j  thou  speak 'st  to  one  who  thinks, 

*  But  let  us  go  j  lead  thou  the  way  throughout ; 

*  But  give  me,  if  there  is  one  cut,  a  staff 

'  To  lean  on,  for  thou  say'st  the  way  is  rough. '         195 

He  spoke,  and  o'er  his  shoulders  threw  the  scrip, 
Mean,  torn,  and  on  it  was  a  twisted  thong. 
Eumgeus  gave  a  staff  to  suit  his  mind, 
And  they  two  went ;  the  dogs  and  herdsmen  stayed 
To  guard  the  lodge,  and  to  the  town  he  led  200 

The  king,  in  guise  a  beggar,  squalid,  old, 
Propped  by  a  staff ;  and  mean  the  clothes  he  wore. 
But  when  they,  walking  oh  the  rugged  road, 
Approached  the  town  and  reached  the  fountain  fair, 
Well-wrought,  from  which  the  townsmen  water  drew, 
Which  Ithacus,  Polyctor,  Neritus,  205 

Had  made,  and  round  it  was  a  poplar  grove, 
Fed  by  the  stream,  on  all  sides  circular, 
And  from  a  rock  on  high  cold  water  flowed ; 
Above  an  altar  of  the  Nymphs  was  built,  -      210 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  81 

Where  all  the  wayfarers  made  offerings ; 

Melanthius  met  them,  son  of  Dolius, 

Bringing  the  goats  which  in  the  flocks  excelled, 

The  suitors'  feast ;  two  herdsmen  followed  him. 

He  when  he  saw  him  chided  and  addressed  215 

Words  foul  and  rough,  and  stirred  Ulysses'  heart : 

1  Now  true  it  is  the  vile  the  vile  conducts, 

\k.ud  God  as  ever  couples  like  with  like?) 

1  Whither,  0  worthless  swineherd  !  dost  thou  lead 

1  This  glutton,  wretched  beggar,  bane  of  feasts,        220  - 

'  Who  will  by  many  door-posts  stand  and  rub 

'  His  shoulders,  and  beg  hard  for  scraps  of  food, 

*  For  swords  and  tripods  no  competitor  1 

'  If  thou  wouldst  give  him  me  to  guard  my  stalls, 

1  To  sweep  the  folds,  bring  branches  to  the  kids, 

'  He  drinking  whey  would  make  his  loins  robust.     225 

*  But,  having  learned  bad  ways,  he  will  not  work, 

*  But  cow'ring  in  the  crowd  prefers  to  beg, 
1  And  his  insatiable  belly  feed. 

*  But  this  I  tell  thee  and  it  shall  be  done  : 

*  If  to  divine  Ulysses'  house  he  comes,  230 

*  His  pelted  sides  will  many  stools  destroy, 
'Thrown  from  the  hands  of  men  about  his  head.' 

He  spake,  and  passing  by  him  with  his  heel 
Leapt  in  his  foolery  upon  his  haunch ; 
But  from  the  foot-path  thrust  him  not  aside, 
For  firm  he  stood.     Ulysses  was  in  doubt 
Whether  to  rush  and  kill  him  with  his  club,  Y^ 
Or  seize  his  head  and  dash  it  to  the  ground ; 
But  he  endured  it  and  restrained  himself. 


The  swineherd  at  him  glared  and  chided  him, 


82  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK  XVII. 

And  lifting  up  his  hands  thus  prayed  aloud  :  240 

1  Nymphs  of  the  fountain  !  daughters  of  high  Jove  ! 

*  If  e'er  Ulysses  has  burnt  thighs  to  you 

*  Of  lambs  and  kids,  and  covered  them  with  fat, 
1  0  ratify  my  prayer !  may  that  man  come, 

*  And  may  God  bring  him  !  then  would  he  disperse 
'  The  fooleries  which  in  thine  insolence 

*  Thou,  wand'ring  through  the  city,  dost  display ;     245 

*  But  evil  shepherds  ruin  bring  on  sheep.' 

Melanthius,  the  goatherd,  answered  him  : 
'  Gods !  what  has  this  dog  skilled  in  mischief  said  ? 
'  Him  in  a  black  ship  far  from  Ithaca 
'  I'll  take  to  earn  for  me  much  property.  250 

'  0  that  Apollo  with  the  silver  bow 
'  Would  in  the  palace  strike  Telemachus 

*  This  day,  or  he  were  by  the  suitors  killed, 
'  As  surely  as  the  day  of  his  return 

c  Has  to  Ulysses,  distant  far,  been  lost ! ' 

He  spake,  and  left  them  walking  slowly  on ; 
But  to  the  king's  house  went  himself  with  speed.    255 
He  entered  and  among  the  suitors  sate, 
Fronting  Eurymachus  whom  most  he  loved. 
The  servants  by  him  placed  a  share  of  flesh, 
The  venerable  housekeeper  brought  bread 
To  eat.     Ulysses  and  the  swineherd  came  260 

And  near  them  stood ;  the  music  of  the  harp 
Came  round,  for  Phemius  began  to  sing. 
Ulysses  grasped  the  swineherd's  hand  and  said : 
1  Eumasus  !  beauteous  is  Ulysses'  house, 

*  Easy  to  know  and  among  many  seen  :  265 
1  Floor  over  floor  is  there,  the  hall  adorned    ' 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  83 

1  With  wall  and  cornices,  the  doors  well-closed 

*  And  folding  :  none  could  such  a  house  despise. 
1  But  many  men,  I  see,  are  feasting  there ; 

*  The  smell  arises,  and  the  harp  resounds  270 
'  Which  Gods  have  made  companion  of  the  feast.' 

Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  : 
'  Thou  thinkest  well,  nor  art  unwise  besides : 
1  But  let  us  counsel  how  these  things  shall  be  ; 

*  Either  go  first  the  well-built  house  within,  275 

*  And  with  the  suitors  mix,  while  I  remain  ; 
■  Or,  if  thou  wilt,  remain  while  I  go  first  : 

'  But  linger  not,  lest  some  one  from  without 
'May  strike  or  chase  thee  ;  think,  I  pray,  on  this.' 
Patient  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  :  280 

*  I  know,  I  see  ;  thou  speak'st  to  one  who  thinks. 
i  But  go  thou  first,  and  I  will  here  remain  ; 

'  With  stripes  and  blows  not  unacquainted  I ; 

'  My  mind  is  daring,  for  in  waves  and  war 

'  I  woes  have  suffered  ;  let  this  added  be.  285 

*  One  cannot  hide  a  craving  appetite, 

*  Destructive,  which  gives  many  ills  to  men, 

'  For  which  e'en  well-benched  ships  are  fitted  up 
6  To  cross  the  barren  sea  and  injure  foes.' 

'Twas  thus  with  one  another  they  conversed.       290 
A  dog  which  lay  there,  Argus,  lifted  up 
His  head  and  ears ;  Ulysses'  dog,  which  he 
Had  bred  but  not  enjoyed,  for  first  he  went 
To  sacred  Troy,  though  ere  that  time  young  men 
Had  led  him  to  wild  goats  and  roes  and  hares.         295 
There  lay  he  abject,  for  his  lord  was  gone, 
Amdng  much  dung  of  mules  and  oxen,  spread 


84  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII. 

Before  the  doors  until  Ulysses'  hinds 

Should  take  it  the  wide  farm  to  fertilize. 

There  the  dog  Argus,  full  of  vermin,  lay  :  300 

But  when  he  saw  Ulysses  coming  near 

He  wagged  his  tail  and  laid  down  both  his  ears, 

But  to  his  master  had  not  strength  to  come. 

He  gazed  apart  and  wiped  a  tear  away, 

Not  by  Euma3us  seen,  and  questioned  him  :  305 

'  Eumreus  !  strange  this  dog  should  lie  on  dung  ! 

*  In  shape  he 's  handsome,  but  I  know  not  this, 
'  If  he,  besides  this  shape,  is  swift  in  chase, 

'  Or  only  such  as  are  men's  table-dogs, 
'  Whom  their  lords  pamper  but  for  ornament.'         310 
Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply : 

*  This  is  the  dog  of  one  who  died  far  off. 

'  If  he  were  such  in  form  and  feats  as  when 
■  Ulysses  left  him  when  he  went  to  Troy, 

*  Soon  wond'ring  thou  wouldst    see   his    speed  and 

strength.  315 

'  He  never  used  to  fly  from  any  beast, 
1  Which  in  the  deep  wood's  thicket  he  had  chased, 
'  And  well  their  tracks  he  knew ;  but  now  he  lies 
'  In  mis'ry ;  far  from  home  his  lord  has  died. 

*  For  him  the  heedless  women  have  no  care, 

/  For  servants,  when  their  lords  control  them  not^20 
sA.re  no  more  willing  to  perform  their  tasks^/^ 
1  Since  Jove  takes  half  the  value  of  a  man 

*  Away,  when  slavery  has  brought  him  down.' 

He  spoke,  and  passed  the  well-built  house  within, 
And  straightway  to  the  noble  suitors  went ;  325 

But  black  death's  fate  seized  Argus  suddenly, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  85 

Seeing  Ulysses  in  the  twentieth  year. 
Godlike  Telemachus  was  first  to  see 
The  swineherd  coming  to  the  house,  and  quick 
Made  signal  to  invite  him  :  he  looked  round  330 

And  took  a  seat,  placed  where  the  carver  sate 
And  for  the  feasting  suitors  shared  the  meat ; 
He  brought  and  at  the  table  put  it  down, 
Fronting  Telemachus,  and  there  he  sate. 
The  herald  took  a  share  and  gave  it  him, 
And  from  the  basket  lifted  out  the  bread.  335 

Ulysses  near  him  went  the  house  within, 
In  guise  a  wretched  aged  beggar-man, 
Supported  by  a  staff,  while  round  his  flesh 
Were  miserable  garments,  and  upon 
The  ashen  threshold  sate  within  the  doors, 
Leaning  against  a  shaft  of  cypress  wood,  340 

Which  formerly  a  carpenter  had  planed, 
And  with  a  plumb-line  straightened  skilfully. 
Telemachus  the  swineherd  called  and  said, 
Taking  a  whole  loaf  from  a  basket  fair, 
And   flesh,   while    grasping    them    his   hands   were 
stretched : 

*  These  take  and  to  the  stranger  give,  and  bid         345 
1  That  he  from  all  the  suitors  go  and  beg  : 

6  Shame  is  no  good  thing  for  a  man  in  need.' 

He  spoke :  the  swineherd,  when  he  heard  it,  went 
And  standing  near  him  said  these  wingdd  words : 

*  Stranger  !  Telemachus  gives  these,  and  bids  350 
1  That  thou  from  all  the  suitors  go  and  beg, 

'And  says  that  shame  fits  not  a  beggar-man.' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 


86  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XVII. 

*  Grant,  royal  Jove  !  Telemachus  to  be 

I  Among  men  prosperous  !     May  ev'ry  thing 

*  Which  in  his  mind  he  meditates  succeed  !'  355 

He  spake  ;  with  both  hands  took  and  placed  the  food 
Before  his  feet  on  his  unseemly  scrip, 
And  ate,  while  in  the  palace  sang  the  bard. 
When  he  had  supped  the  bard  divine  had  ceased, 
And  in  the  house  the  suitors  clamour  made.  360 

Minerva,  standing  by  Laertes'  son 
Ulysses,  urged  him  to  collect  meal-cakes 
Among  the  suitors,  that  he  might  discern 
Who  upright  were  and  who  were  lawless  men, 
But  not  e'en  so  would  any  save  from  death. 
Standing  at  each  one's  right  he  stretched  his  hand  365 
To  beg,  as  if  a  beggar-man  of  old. 
They  gave  in  pity  and  in  wonder  gazed, 
And  asked  each  other  who  and  whence  he  was. 
To  them  Melanthius,  the  goat-herd,  said : 
'  Hear  me,  ye  suitors  of  the  noble  queen  !  370 

'  About  this  stranger ;  him  I  saw  before  ; 
'  The  swineherd  brought  him  hither ;  for  himself 

I I  know  not  whence  he  boasts  his  race  to  be.' 
He  spake  :  Antinous  the  swineherd  chid  : 

*  Vile  swineherd  !  wThy  bring  this  man  to  the  town  1 

'  Of  vagabonds  and  other  beggars  foul  375 

1  Have  we  not  plenty,  spoilers  of  our  feasts  1 
6  Art  not  content  that  here  in  crowds  they  waste 
'  Thy  master's  goods  that  thou  invitest  him  1 ' 

Swineherd  Eumseus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  :         380 
( Antinous  !  though  good  thou  speak'st  not  well. 
1  Who  that  himself  from  elsewhere  comes  invites 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  87 

*  Another  stranger,  if  he  be  not  one 
1  Of  public  officers,  a  soothsayer, 

*  A  curer  of  disease,  a  carpenter, 

*  Or  bard  divine  who  may  by  song  delight  1  385 

*  Those  men  are  welcome  o'er  the  boundless  earth. 

*  None  asks  a  beggar  to  consume  himself. 

*  But  more  than  all  the  suitors  ever  thou 
'  Art  to  Ulysses'  servants  stern,  to  me 

*  Especially ;  but  I  regard  it  not, 

*  While  in  the  house  the  wise  Penelope  390 
'  And  the  divine  Telemachus  survive.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  in  answer  said  : 
1  Be  silent,  nor  with  many  words  reply. 
'  Antinous  is  practised  to  contend 

*  With  bitter  words,  and  others  too  excites.'  395 

He  spake,  and  thus  addressed  Antinous ; 
'  Antinous  !  good  care  thou  tak'st  of  me, 
'  As  father  might  of  son,  who  bid'st  me  send 

*  By  painful  speech  a  stranger  from  the  house. 

'  God  bring  it  not  to  pass  !  take  thou  and  give ;       400 

*  I  grudge  it  not,  but  rather  recommend. 

*  Neither  my  mother  heed,  nor  any  one 
1  Of  servants  in  Ulysses'  house  in  this  ; 

*  But  no  such  thought  is  thine,  for  rather  thou 

*  Wouldst  eat  thyself  than  to  another  give.' 

To  him  Antinous  replied  and  said  :  405 

*  Telemachus  !  proud  speaker !  unrestrained 
'  In  thine  audacity  !  what  hast  thou  said  1 

1  If  all  the  suitors  gave  as  much  as  thou, 

*  The  house  for  three  months  would  be  rid-of  him.' 

He  spake,  and  shewed  a  footstool,  which  he  took 


88  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII. 

From  underneath  the  table,  and  on  which  410 

His  shining  feet  while  feasting  he  reposed. 

The  rest  all  gave,  and  filled  the  scrip  with  food. 

Ulysses  to  the  threshold  was  about 

To  go  and  taste  the  bounty  of  the  Greeks, 

But,  standing  by  Antinous,  he  said  : 

*  Give,  friend  !  thou  seemest  not  the  worst  to  be,     415 
'  But  of  the  Greeks  the  best ;  thou  'rt  like  a  king  j 

'  Better  than  others  thou  shouldst  give  me  bread, 

'  And  I  will  praise  thee  o'er  the  boundless  earth. 

'  I  too  once  happy  in  a  rich  house  dwelt, 

'  And  often  gave  to  such  a  wanderer,  420 

'  Whoe'er  he  was  or  in  what  need  he  came. 

'  Many  my  servants  were,  and  other  things 

'  In  which  men  live  well  and  are  counted  rich  ; 

1  But  Jove,  the  son  of  Saturn,  struck  me  down, 

'  (For  such  his  will)  who  on  a  voyage  long  425 

4  With  roving  pirates  prompted  me  to  go 

I  To  Egypt,  that  I  might  there  be  destroyed. 

I I  brought  to  anchor  in  Egyptus'  stream 

1  My  two-banked  ships ;  I  bade  then  my  dear  friends 

*  There  by  the  ships  to  stay  and  draw  them  up, 

1  And  urged  the  watchmen  to  the  heights  to  go  :      430 
1  But,  yielding  to  their  pride  and  following 

*  Their  own  device,  they  speedily  laid  waste 

*  The  beauteous  fields  of  the  Egyptians ; 

1  Their  wives  and  infant  children  took,  and  slew 
1  The  men,  and  soon  the  cry  the  city  reached. 
1  Hearing  the  tumult,  with.th'  appearing  morn,        435 
1  They  came,  and  all  the  plain  with  foot  and  horse 
1  Arid  with  the  gleaming  of  the  brass  was  filled. 


THE    ODYSSEY, — BOOK   XVII.  89 

1  Jove,  who  delights  in  thunder,  on  my  friends 

*  Seut  a  base  panic,  nor  did  any  dare 

*  Resist,  for  evil  stood  on  all  sides  round. 

*  Then  with  sharp  sword  they  many  of  us  slew,         440 
'  And  some  they  took  alive  to  work ;  but  me 

1  They  gave  to  Dmetor,  son  of  Iasus, 

'  Of  Cyprus  king,  a  visitor,  to  take 

1  To  Cyprus ;  thence  I  wretched  hither  come.' 

To  him  Antinous  replied  and  said  :  445 

*  What  God  has  brought  this  pest,  this  bane  of  feasts  ? 
'  Stand  in  the  middle,  from  my  table  far, 

*  Lest  at  a  bitter  Egypt  thou  arrive 

'  And  Cyprus  ;  daring,  shameless  beggar  thou  ! 

*  By  all  in  turn  thou  standest ;  recklessly  450 

*  They  give  thee  ;  there  is  no  restraint,  no  ruth  . 
1  In  giving  others'  goods,  where  each  has  much.'    Jy-* 

f  The  wise  Ulysses  said  as  he  withdrew  :        ^" 

*  Alas  !  thou  hast  no  mind  to  suit  thy  form. 

'  From  thine  own  house  thou  wouldst  not  even  give 

*  A  grain  of  salt  to  thine  own  suppliant,  455 

*  Who  hast  not,  sitting  at  another's  board, 

*  The  heart  to  give  some  food  where  much  there  is.' 

He  spake  :  Antinous  was  more  enragedy 
And  looking  sternly  spake  these  winged  words : 
1  No  longer  wilt  thou  well,  I  think,  retreat  400 

1  From  out  this  house,  who  thus  revilest  me.' 

He  spake,  a  footstool  seized,  and  with  it  struck 
His  shoulder,  to  the  right,  upon  his  back. 
As  firm  as  might  a  rock  he  stood,  nor  him 
The  weapon  of  Antinous  displaced. 
Silent  he  shook  his  head  and  evil  planned ;  405 


90  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII. 

Then  to  the  threshold  going  sate  and  laid 
His  full  scrip  down,  and  to  the  suitors  said  : 
1  Hear  me,  ye  suitors  of  the  noble  queen  ! 
'  While  what  my  mind  compels  me  I  shall  say. 

*  There  is  no  grief  or  sorrow  in  the  mind,  470 
'  When  one  who  for  his  own  possessions  fights, 

*  For  oxen  or  for  white-fleeced  sheep,  is  struck ; 
1  But  for  my  hunger,  sad  and  ruinous, 

'  Which  causes  many  miseries  to  men, 

*  Antinous  has  struck  me  :  but,  if  Gods 

'  And  furies  for  the  poor  there  are,  may  death         475 

*  O'ertake  Antinous  before  he  weds  !' 

Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  replied : 
1  Stranger  !  sit  still  and  eat,  or  elsewhere  go, 
'  Lest  young  men  drag  thee  forth,  for  what  thou  say'st, 
1  By  hand  or  foot,  and  strip  off  all  thy  skin.'  450 

He  spake,  and  all  of  them  indignant  were, 
And  of  the  proud  young  men  thus  some  one  said : 

*  Antinous  !  thou  didst  not  well  to  strike 

*  A  wretched  wand'rer  :  0  thou  doomed  to  death  ! 
'  If  in  the  heav'n  above  there  is  a  God. 

'  The  Gods,  like  strangers  from  a  foreign  land  435 

'  And  under  varied  forms,  through  cities  pass, 
1  Men's  insolence  and  justice  to  survey.' 

The  suitors  spake  :  their  words  he  heeded  not ; 
Telemachus  nursed  great  grief  in  his  heart 
For  him  thus  stricken  ;  yet  upon  the  ground  490 

Not  from  his  eyelids  shed  a  tear,  but  shook 
His  head  in  silence,  deeply  planning  ills. 
When  wise  Penelope  had  heard  of  him 
In  the  house  stricken,  to  her  maids  she  said : 


THE  ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  91 

1  So  may  the  archer  Phoebus  strike  thyself !' 

The  house-keeper  Eurynome  replied :  495 

1  Aye  !  if  there  were  fulfilment  of  our  pray'rs, 
1  Not  one  of  them  would  reach  the  fair-throned  dawn.' 
To  her  the  wise  Penelope  replied  : 

*  Nurse  !  all  are  enemies,  for  ills  they  plan  ; 

1  But  most  Antinous  is  like  black  fate.  500 

*  Some  wretched  stranger  wanders  through  the  house 

*  To  beg,  for  so  his  poverty  compels ; 

1  The  others  there  all  filled  his  scrip  and  gave  ; 
'He  with  a  footstool  his  right  shoulder  struck.' 

Among  her  maidens  in  her  chamber  thus  505 

She  converse  held,  the  while  Ulysses  supped. 
Then  she  the  swineherd  to  her  called  and  said : 
'  Go,  good  Eumseus  !  bid  the  stranger  come, 
'  That  I  may  welcome  him,  and  ask  if  he 
'  Has  anything  of  brave  Ulysses  heard  510 

*  Or  seen ;  he  seems  a  wand'rer  from  afar.' 

Swineherd  Eumasus  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  : 
'  If,  queen  !  the  Grecians  would  but  silence  keep, 
'  He  would  thy  dear  heart  soothe  by  what  he  tells. 
'  Three  nights  I  had  him  and  three  days  detained   515 
'  Within  my  lodge,  for  first  he  came  to  me, 
1  Escaping  from  the  ship,  but  had  not  made 
'  An  end  of  the  recital  of  his  woes. 
'  As  when  a  man  beholds  a  bard  who,  taught 
1  By  God,  sings  poems  which  delight  mankind, 
'  And  they  desire  to  hear  him  when  he  sings  ;  520 

1  So  me,  while  sitting  in  the  house  he  charmed. 
'  He  claims  to  be  Ulysses'  friend  of  old, 
'  Dwelling  in  Crete,  where  Minos'  race  belong  ; 


92  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVII. 

*  Thence,  suff'ring  sorrows,  he  has  hither  come, 

[  Roving  from  place  to  place  ;  and  he  affirms  525 

*  That  of  Ulysses  living  he  has  heard, 

*  In  the  rich  land  of  the  Thesprotians, 

*  Quite  near,  and  that  he  brings  much  treasure  home.' 

To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied : 
'  Go,  call  him  that  he  face  to  face  may  speak. 

*  Let  them,  or  at  the  doors  or  in  the  house,  530 
'  Sit  and  enjoy  themselves  ;  their  mind  is  glad, 

*  For  in  their  house  their  goods  unwasted  lie, 

'  Bread  and  sweet  wine,  and  these  their  servants  eat : 

*  But  they,  our  house  frequenting  ev'ry  day, 

'  Oxen  and  sheep  and  fat  goats  sacrifice,  535 

1  Keep  festival,  and  drink  sweet  wine  cost-free  ; 
'  And  great  the  waste,  for  there  is  not  a  man, 

*  Such  as  Ulysses,  from  the  house  to  drive 
'  The  curse  ;  but  if  Ulysses  should  return 

*  To  his  paternal  land,  he  with  his  son 
'  Would  punish  soon  the  violence  of  men.' 

She  spake  :  Telemachus  then  sneezed  aloud  ; 
The  house  re-echoed,  and  Penelope 
Laughed,  and  Eumseus  quickly  thus  addressed  : 
'  Go  quick  !  the  stranger  to  my  presence  call ; 
'  Hear'st  thou  not  how  my  son  at  all  my  words        545 

*  Has  sneezed  ?  then  so  may  death  not  incomplete 

*  To  all  the  suitors  come,  nor  one  escape  ! 

*  Another  thing  I  tell  thee,  weigh  it  well : 

'  If  I  should  find  him  telling  all  things  true, 
'  A  cloak  and  tunic,  garments  fair,  I'll  give.'  550 

She  spake  :  the  swineherd  heard  her  speech  and  went, 
And  standing  near  him  spoke  these  winged  words  : 


TIIE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII.  93 

1  Penelope  thee,  rev'rend  stranger  !  calls, 

*  The  mother  of  Telemachus  ;  her  mind 

1  Prompts  her  about  her  husband  to  enquire 

*  However  suff'ring  woes  herself ;  she  will,  555 
1  If  she  should  find  thee  telling  all  things  true, 

'  Give  thee  a  cloak  and  tunic,  things  of  which     [town, 

*  Thou'rt  much  in  need  :  thou,  begging  through  the 

*  Shalt  feed  thy  stomach,  and  who  wills  will  give.' 

Patient  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  :  500 

'  Eumseus  !  soon  to  wise  Penelope, 
1  Icarius'  daughter,  I  the  truth  will  tell ; 
'  For  well  I  know  about  him  ;  we  have  had 
1  Sorrows  in  common  ;  but  I  fear  the  band 
'  Of  cruel  suitors,  men  whose  haughtiness 

*  And  violence  reach  to  the  iron  sky.  5G5 
'  For  even  now,  when  that  man  striking  me, 

'  As  through  the  house  I  went  and  did  no  ill, 

*  Caused  me  much  suff  'ring,  not  Telemachus 
'  Nor  any  other  man  assisted  me. 

1  Bid  then  Penelope  the  house  within 

*  To  stay,  however  anxious  she  may  be,  570 
'  Till  sun-set ;  let  her  then  her  questions  put 

*  About  her  husband's  home-returning  day, 

*  Close  by  the  fire ;  for  sorry  clothes  I  wear, 

*  As  thou  whom  first  I  supplicated  know'st.' 

He  spake  :  the  swineherd  when  he  heard  it  went : 
Him  going  forth  Penelope  addressed  :  575 

'  Dost  thou  not  bring  him  1  what,  Eumseus  !  thinks 
1  This  wand'rer  ?  fears  he  any  lawless  one, 
1  Or  in  the  palace  for  some  other  cause 
'  Is  awed?  a  modest  beggar  never  thrives.' 


94  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVII. 

Swineherd  Eumaous  !  thou  didst  thus  reply  : 
1  Rightly  he  speaks,  as  any  one  would  think,  580 

'  Shunning  the  insolence  of  haughty  men. 
<  He  bids  thee  wait  until  the  set  of  sun, 

*  And  this,  0  queen  !  is  better,  for  thyself, 
'  Alone  the  stranger  to  address  and  hear.' 

To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied :  585 

'  The  stranger 's  not  unwise  whoe'er  he  be ; 
'  Not  among  mortals  anywhere  do  men 

*  Such  insolent  insensate  deeds  contrive.' 

'Twas  thus  she  spoke :  the  swineherd  to  the  band 
Of  suitors  went  when  he  had  all  explained,  590 

And  to  Telemachus  spoke  winged  words, 
Holding  his  head  close  lest  the  rest  should  hear : 
1  Friend  !  I  must  go  to  guard  the  swine  and  goods, 

*  Both  thine  and  mine  ;  let  all  here  be  thy  charge. 

'  First  of  thyself  take  care,  deliberate  595 

*  Lest  aught  thou  suffer ;  many  of  the  Greeks 
i  Are  planning  evils  for  thee,  whom  may  Jove 

*  Before  destruction  comes  to  us  destroy  ! ' 

The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 

*  So  it  shall  be,  dear  friend  !  go  thou  at  eve ; 

*  Come  in  the  morning,  and  fair  victims  bring ;         600 
'  All  be  with  me  and  wTith  the  Gods  in  charge  ! ' 

He  spake  :  the  swineherd  on  the  polished  seat 
Sate  down  j  when  he  his  mind  with  food  and  drink 
Had  satisfied,  he  hasted  to  the  swine, 
And  left  the  courts  and  house  with  suitors  filled. 
They  were  delighted  with  the  dance  and  song,  605 

For  now  the  eventide  of  day  had  come. 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XVIII.  95 

BOOK     XVIII. 

°iJ  <>  U  •'■ 
There  came  besides  a  public  beggar-man, 

Whose  wont  it  was  to  beg  throughout  the  town 

Of  Ithaca,  for  greed  notorious 

To  eat  and  drink  unceasingly  ;  he  had  * 

Nor  strength  nor  force,  though  bulky  to  behold. 

Arnaeus  was  his  name  ;  this  from  his  birth  5 

His  worthy  mother  gave  him,  but  the  youths 

Had  called  him  Irus,  for  he  used  to  go 

As  messenger,  when  any  gave  command. 

He  drove  Ulysses  from  his  own  abode, 

And  chiding  spoke  to  him  these  winged  words : 

1  Go  from  the  porch,  old  man  !  lest  thou  be  drawn     10 

1  Out  by  the  foot ;  dost  thou  not  see  how  all 

'  Make  signs  to  me,  and  bid  me  drag  thee  out  1 

1  Yet  this  I  shame  to  do ;  but  rise,  or  soon 

1  A  fight  with  hands  will  be  between  us  two.' , 

Ulysses  sternly  eyeing  him  addressed  : 

1  Sirrah  !  no  ill  to  thee  I  do  nor  speak,  15 

'  Nor  grudge  that  any  give  to  thee,  though  much 

*  Thou  gettest ;  but  this  threshold  will  contain 

'  Us  both,  nor  is  it  fit  that  thou  shouldst  grudge 

*  What  is  another's :  thou,  like  me,  appear'st 
1 A  wanderer,  but  wealth  the  Gods  bestow. 

*  Challenge  me  not  to  fight  with  hands,  lest  thou       20 

*  Enrage  me,  and  I  stain  thy  breast  and  lips, 

'  Old  as  I  am,  with  blood  :  more  peace  would  be 
1  To-morrow  for  me,  nor  I  think  wouldst  thou 
1  Come  to  Ulysses'  house  a  second  time.' 


96  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVIII. 

The  vagrant  Irus  him  in  rage  addressed  :  25 

1  Ye  Gods  !  how  trippingly  this  hungry  wretch, 
'  Like  an  old  cinder-grov'lling  woman,  talks  ! 
'  I  will  a  mischief  do  him,  strike  him  down, 
'  With  both  hands  driving  from  his  jaws  his  teeth 
'  Upon  the  ground,  as  of  a  husk-fed  swine. 
'  Gird  thyself  now  that  all  those  here  may  see  30 

1  Us  fight ;  how  wilt  thou  with  one  younger  fight1?' 

Before  the  lofty  doors  with  all  their  mind 
On  the  wrought  threshold  thus  they  were  enraged. 
Antinous  together  put  them  both, 
And  to  the  suitors  said  with  pleasant  laugh  :  35 

*  Friends  !  never  was  there  such  thing  done  before  : 
'  What  sport  has  some  God  to  the  palace  brought ! 

'  The  stranger  now  and  Irus  quarrelling 

1  Provoke  a  fight ;  quick  let  us  join  the  two.' 

He  spoke,  and  laughing  all  of  them  uprose  40 

And  round  the  ragged  beggars  made  a  ring. 
Then  spoke  Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son  : 
'  Hear,  noble  suitors  !  what  I  have  to  say  : 
'  These  paunches  of  the  goat  upon  the  fire 
'  Are  being  roasted ;  we  for  supper  these, 
'  Filling  with  blood  and  fat,  had  laid  aside.  45 

*  Which  of  the  two  shall  conquer  and  be  best, 

'  Let  him  rise  up  and  choose  whiche'er  he  wills ; 

*  Hereafter  he  shall  always  feast  with  us, 
1  Nor  will  we  any  other  beggar-men 

1  Permit  to  come  among  us  and  to  beg.' 

So  spake  Antinous  :  his  words  pleased  all ;  50 

But  wise  Ulysses  craftily  replied : 
1  0  friends  !  it  is  not  for  an  aged  man 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XVIII.  97 

1  And  toil-worn  with  a  younger  one  to  fight ; 

*  But  hunger  that  to  evil  leads  a  man 

1  Compels  that  I  should  be  subdued  by  blows. 

*  But  come  now  !  all  of  you  a  firm  oath  swear  55 

*  That  no  one  of  you,  taking  Irus'  part, 

'  Will  with  his  heavy  hand  unfairly  strike 

*  And  violently  conquer  me  for  him.' 

He  spake  :  they  all  as  he  demanded  swore. 
[When  they  had  sworn  and  made  the  oath  complete] 
The  sacred  prince  Telemachus  thus  spoke  :  60 

*  0  stranger  !  if  thine  heart  and  noble  mind 

1  Prompt  thee  to  drive  this  man  away,  fear  not 
'  Another  of  the  Greeks  :  wTith  many  more 

I  He  will  whoever  strikes  thee  have  to  fight. 

I I  am  the  one  who  strangers  entertains  : 
1  Antinons,  Eurymachus,  assent, 

*  Princes  and  prudent  men,  to  what  I  say.'  65 

He  spake,  they  all  approved  :  Ulysses  then 
Girt  round  his  loins  his  rags,  and  shewed  his  thighs, 
Fair,  large  ;  his  shoulders  broad  appeared,  his  breast 
And  brawny  arms.     Minerva,  standing  near 
The  people's  sovereign,  enlarged  his  limbs.  70 

The  suitors  all  admired  exceedingly, 
And  thus  one  looking  at  his  neighbour  said : 

*  Irus,  bad  Irus,  will  have  self-sought  woe, 

*  Such  loins  from  out  his  rags  the  old  man  shews.' 

They  spoke,  and  Irus'  mind  was  sorely  moved  :     75 
But,  spite  of  that,  the  servants  girded  him, 
And  dragged  him  onward,  terrified,  by  force, 
While  round  his  limbs  his  flesh  was  quivering. 
Antinous  rebuked  him,  and  addressed : 


98  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVIII. 

1  Now,  boastful  lubber  !  live  not  nor  exist, 

'  If  thou  shouldst  tremble  at  and  greatly  fear  so 

'  This  aged  man  by  misery  oppressed. 

\  But  this  I  tell  thee,  and  it  shall  be  done  : 

1  Should  he  o'ercome  thee  and  superior  be, 

1  I'll  seud  thee  to  Epirus,  putting  thee 

*  On  board  a  black  ship,  to  king  Echetus, 

'  Of  all  men  the  tormentor,  who  will  cut  go 

'  Thy  nose  and  ears  off  with  the  cruel  brass, 

1  And  draw  thy  bowels  for  the  dogs  to  eat.' 

He  spake  :  but  terror  still  more  seized  his  limbs : 
They  dragged  him  forward :  both  upreared  their  hands. 
Patient  divine  Ulysses  doubted  then  90 

Whether  to  strike  him  so  that  when  he  fell 
His  life  should  leave  him  there,  or  rather  strike 
Lightly  and  lay  him  prostrate  on  the  earth. 
This,  as  he  doubted,  seemed  the  best  j  to  strike 
Lightly,  for  fear  the  Greeks  discover  him. 
Both  reared  their  hands,  and  Irus  struck  a  blow        95 
On  the  right  shoulder  of  Ulysses  j  he 
Struck  him  beneath  the  ear,  upon  the  neck, 
And  broke  the  bones  within  ;  the  purple  blood 
Welled  from  his  mouth,  and  shrieking  in  the  dust 
He  fell,  and  gnashed  his  teeth,  and  kicked  the  ground. 
The  noble  suitors,  lifting  up  their  hands, 
Half  died  with  laughter  :  but  Ulysses  seized  100 

His  foot,  and  dragged  him  through  the  portico, 
Till  to  the  hall  and  porch's  doors  he  came ; 
Then  set  him  down  against  the  court-yard  fence, 
Placed  in  his  hand  a  staff  and  thus  addressed : 
'  Sit  here  and  drive  away  the  swine  and  dogs;  105 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XVIII.  99 

*  Wretch  as  thou  art !  no  longer  lord  it  o'er 

*  Strangers  and  beggars,  lest  worse  ill  thou  reap.' 

He  spake,  and  o'er  his  shoulders  threw  the  scrip, 
Mean,  torn,  and  on  it  was  a  twisted  thong. 
Retreating  to  the  threshold  he  sate  down  ;  no 

They  entered  with  gay  laugh,  and  greeted  him : 
1  Stranger  !  may  Jove  and  the  immortal  Gods 

*  Grant  thee  thy  wish,  aud  what  delights  thy  mind, 
1  Who  this  insatiate  man  hast  made  to  cease 

'  From  begging  in  the  country  ;  for  we  soon  115 

*  Will  to  Epirus,  to  king  Echetus, 

1  Of  all  men  the  tormentor,  send  him  off. ' 

They  spake  :  Ulysses  in  the  omen  joyed. 
Antinous  before  him  placed  a  paunch, 
Large,  full  of  fat  and  blood.     Amphinomus 
Took  two  loaves  from  a  basket,  gave  him  these,       120 
And  pledged  him  with  a  golden  cup,  and  said  : 
1  Hail,  reverend  stranger  !  henceforth  be  success 

I  To  thee,  though  now  by  many  ills  opprest  !' 

Prudent  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 

*  Amphinomus !  thou  seemest  very  wise,  125 

*  Of  such  a  father  sprung  ;  of  his  renown 

I I  heard,  that  Nisus  of  Dulichium 

1  Is  brave  and  rich  ;  they  say  that  thou  art  sprung 

*  From  him  ;  thou  seem'st  a  man  of  eloquence. 

*  I  tell  thee,  then,  consider  it  and  hear  : 

*  Earth  nothing  weaker  than  a  man  supports,  i;;o 
1  Of  all  the  things  that  breathe  and  creep  thereon  j 

1  He  thinks  no  ill  hereafter  to  endure, 

*  While  strength  the  Gods  give  and  his  knees  move  free; 
1  But  when  the  blessed  Gods  bring  miseries, 


100  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVIII. 

1  These  he  with  suff'ring  mind  reluctant  bears.         135 

*  The  thought  of  men  on  earth  is  as  the  day 

*  Which  the  great  sire  of  men  and  Gods  accords  : 
'  For  among  men  I  was  accounted  rich  ; 

1  And  giving  way  to  force  and  violence 

*  I  perpetrated  many  foolish  things, 

1  In  father  and  in  brothers  putting  trust.  140 

'  Therefore  let  no  man  ever  lawless  be, 

*  But  quiet  take  what  gifts  the  Gods  bestow. 

*  What  wicked  deeds  I  see  the  suitors  plan  ! 
1  Wasting  the  goods,  dishonouring  the  wife 

'  Of  one  who  will  not,  as  I  think,  be  long 

'  Absent  from  friends  and  his  paternal  land,  145 

1  But  now  is  near  it.     May  the  God  convey 

1  Thee  to  thine  home  in  secret !  mayst  thou  not 

*  Meet  him  when  to  his  country  he  returns  ! 
'  He  and  the  suitors  will  not  bloodlessly, 

'  I  think,  be  parted  when  he  home  shall  come. '         150 

He  spake,  and  with  libation  drank  sweet  wine, 
And  placed  the  goblet  in  the  chieftain's  hand. 
He  through  the  house  went  grieving  in  his  heart, 
Shaking  his  head,  for  ill  his  mind  presaged ; 
Yet  fate  escaped  not ;  him  Minerva  bound  155 

By  the  spear  of  Telemachus  to  die. 
Quick  on  the  throne  from  whence  he  rose  he  sate  : 
Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  caused  a  thought 
To  wise  Penelope,  Icarius'  child, 

Before  the  suitors  to  appear,  that  so  160 

She  might  their  thoughts  lay  open,  and  still  more 
Be  honoured  by  her  husband  and  her  son. 
She  laughed  unmeaningly,  and  thus  she  spake  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVIII.  101 

*  Euronyme  !  uiy  mind,  though  not  before, 
1  Excites  me  to  the  suitors  to  appear, 

1  Detested  as  they  are,  that  to  my  son,  165 

*  Fur  so  'twould  best  be,  I  a  word  may  say ; 
'  With  the  proud  suitors  not  at  all  to  mix, 

*  Who  speak  him  fair  but  evil  plan  behind.' 

Euronyme,  the  house-keeper,  replied  : 

*  In  truth,  my  child  !  all  this  thou  speakest  right :  170 

*  Go  to  thy  son  and  say  it  nor  conceal : 

'  But  wash  thy  body,  and  anoint  thy  cheeks, 
*'  And  go  not  thus  with  face  defiled  by  tears, 

*  Since  it  is  wrong  to  grieve  incessantly. 

;'  For  now  thy  son  is  of  such  age  as  thou,  175 

;  •  When  he  was  born,  to  the  immortal  Gods 
'  Didst  pray  that  thou  shouldst  see  him  bearded  man.' 

Prudent  Penelope  to  her  replied  : 
1  Euronyme  !  though  eager,  urge  not  this, 
1  To  wash  my  flesh  and  rub  myself  with  oil. 
'  The  Gods  who  in  Olympus  dwell  destroyed  iso 

'  My  beauty,  from  the  time  he  sailed  away. 

*  Hippodamia  and  Autonoe 

1  Bid  come,  to  stand  beside  me  in  the  house ; 

*  To  men,  for  shame,  I  will  not  go  alone  !' 

She  spake  :  the  old  dame  from  the  house  went  forth, 
To  tell  the  maids  and  urge  them  to  attend.  185 

Blue-eyed  Minerva  then  had  other  thoughts : 
She  poured  sweet  sleep  upon  Icarius'  child  ; 
She  lay  and  slumbered  \  on  the  couch  her  limbs 
Relaxed  ;  meanwhile  the  Goddess  gave  her  gifts       190 
Ambrosial  that  the  Grecians  might  aclmire. 
With  heav'nly  beauty  first  her  face  she  decked, 


102  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVIII. 

With  such  as  fair-crowned  Venus  is  bedewed, 

When  to  the  Graces'  lovely  band  she  goes. 

She  made  her  taller,  larger  to  behold,  195 

She  made  her  whiter  than  sawn  ivory. 

This  having  done  the  Goddess  went  away. 

The  white-armed  maidens,  babbling  as  they  walked, 

Came  from  the  house  ;  sweet  sleep  deserted  her, 

And  with  her  hand  she  wiped  her  face  and  said :     200 

1  Soft  sleep  has  cowered  o'er  me  woe-begone  : 

*  0  that  the  chaste  Diana  would  but  grant 
1  A  death  as  soft  as  this  e'en  now  !  that  I 

1  No  more  might  wrear  my  life  in  grief  away, 

'  For  my  dear  husband's  varied  excellence 

'  Pining  ;  for  he  wras  chiefest  of  the  Greeks.'  205 

Thus  speaking,  from  the  chamber  she  came  down, 
But  not  alone;  two  maidens  followed  her. 
When  to  the  suitors  came  the  noble  dame 
She  by  a  pillar  of  the  strong  roof  stood, 
Holding  a  slender  veil  before  her  cheeks,  210 

And  a  chaste  maiden  stood  on  either  side. 
Their  knees  relaxed,  their  mind  was  soothed  with  love, 
And  all  desired  to  have  her  for  a  wife. 
She  her  dear  son,  Telemachus,  addressed  : 
1  Telemachus  !  thy  mind  is  firm  no  more  :  215 

'  Thou  when  a  child  didst  better  things  propose  ; 
'  But  now,  when  grow7n  and  to  youth's  standard  come, 

*  And  when  a  stranger  gazing  on  thy  form 

*  And  face  would  think  thou  wert  a  noble's  son, 

1  Thy  mind  and  counsel  are  no  longer  right ;  220 

1  (0  what  a  deed  has  in  the  house  been  done  !) 

*  A  guest  permitting  to  be  outraged  thus. 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVIII.  103 

'  How,  if  a  stranger  sitting  in  our  house 

*  Should  suffer  thus  from  grievous  violence, 

1  Would  shame  and  scorn  await  thee  among  men  !'  225 

The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said : 
'  Mother  !  that  thou  art  wroth  I  blame  thee  not ; 
'  But  in  my  mind  I  think  I  know  it  all, 

*  The  good  and  bad  :  I  was  a  child  before, 

1  But  all  wise  thoughts  I  cannot  entertain.  230 

4  These  men  perplex  me  who  beside  me  sit, 
1  One  with  another  planning  evil  deeds ; 

*  And  there  are  none  who  will  my  helpers  be. 

*  But  still  it  was  not  by  the  suitors'  will 

'  That  between  Irus  and  the  stranger  rose 

1  The  fight ;  in  strength  he  was  superior. 

i  0  father  Jove  !  Minerva  !  Phoebus  !  would  235 

1  The  suitors  in  our  house  might  shake  their  heads, 

'  Some  in  the  court  and  some  within  the  house 

1  Subdued,  and  that  their  limbs  wTere  loosened  so 

*  As  Irus  at  the  gate  is  sitting  now, 

1  Shaking  his  head  and  like  a  drunken  man,  240 

'  Nor  on  his  feet  can  upright  stand,  nor  go 

*  Returning  homeward,  for  his  limbs  are  loosed.' 

Twas  thus  that  they  to  one  another  spoke : 
Eurymachus  addressed  Penelope  : 
'  Prudent  Penelope  !  Icarius'  child  !  245 

*  If  in  Iasian  Argos  all  the  Greeks 

'  Could  see  thee,  in  the  morning  there  would  feast 
1  More  suitors  in  thine  house,  who  dost  excel 
1  Women  in  form  and  size  and  miud  within.' 

Prudent  Penelope  replied  and  said  :  250 

*  Eurymachus  !  th'  immortals  have  destroyed 


104  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XVIII. 

1  My  excellence,  my  beauty  and  ray  form, 
'  Since  when  the  Greeks  embarked  for  Ilium, 
'  And  when  my  spouse  Ulysses  with  them  went. 

*  If  he  should  come  as  guardian  of  my  life, 

*  Greater  and  fairer  would  be  my  renown.  255 
'  I  am  in  sorrow  now ;  the  Deity 

*  Has  on  me  violently  brought  such  woes. 
1  When  he  departing  left  his  native  land 

*  He  took  my  right  hand  by  the  wrist,  and  said  : 

*  "  My  wife  !  I  think  not  that  the  w-ell-greaved  Greeks 
'  "  Will  all  of  them  return  unharmed  from  Troy  ;  260 
'  "  For  they  say  Trojan  men  are  warriors, 

' "  As  spearmen  and  with  arrows  skilled  to  shoot; 

'  M  And  drivers  of  swift-footed  steeds,  who  soon 

'  "  Decide  the  contest  of  the  doubtful  war. 

'  "  I  know  not  then  if  God  will  send  me  back, 

' "  Or  there  in  Troy  I  may  be  seized  by  death. 

1 "  Here  in  thy  charge  let  all  be  ;  of  my  sirej 

'  "  My  mother  be  thou  mindful  as  till  now, 

' "  Or  even  more  when  I  am  far  away. 

'  "  But  when  thou  see'st  the  boy  a  bearded  man 

'  "  Leave  him  at  home,  and  marry  whom  thou  wilt."  270 

1  So  spake  he,  and  it  all  is  now  fulfilled. 

'  Night  it  will  be  when  hateful  marriage  comes 

'  To  me  undone,  whose  bliss  Jove  took  away. 

'  But  this  sad  wToe  comes  on  my  heart  and  mind  : 

'  This  was  not  formerly  the  suitors'  plan,  275 

1  Who  wished,  and  with  each  other  vied,  to  wed 

'  A  worthy  woman  and  a  rich  man's  child : 

'  For  those  indeed  bring  oxen  and  fat  sheep. 

*  Feast  for  the  damsels'  friends,  and  give  rich  gifts, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVIII.  105 

'  Nor  others'  unrequited  substance  eat.'  280 

She  spake :  divine  Ulysses  in  his  mind 

Rejoiced  that  she  invited  thus  their  gifts, 

And  soothed  their  minds  with  honeyed  words,  the  while 

Her  mind  was  meditating  other  things. 
Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  replied : 

■  Prudent  Penelope  !  Icarius'  child  !  285 

*  Receive  the  gifts  which  who  will  of  the  Greeks 
1  May  bring  ;  'tis  wrong  a  present  to  refuse  ; 

1  Nor  to  our  farms  nor  elsewhere  will  we  go 

*  Till  of  the  Greeks  thou  marry  who  is  best.' 

So  spake  Antinous  :  his  words  pleased  well,  290 

And  to  bring  presents  each  a  herald  sent. 
One  for  Antinous  a  large  robe  brought, 
Fair,  variegated,  and  there  were  thereon 
Twelve  clasps,  all  gold,  with  well-bent  hooks  bedecked. 
A  well-wrought  necklace  for  Eurymachus,  295 

Golden  and  set  in  amber,  like  the  sun, 
One  brought  :  two  servants  for  Eurydamas 
Brought  ear-rings,  wrought  with  triple  eye-like  drops, 
And  much  their  beauty  shone  :  a  servant  brought 
A  collar,  ornament  most  beautiful,  300 

From  Prince  Pisander's  house,  Polyctus'  son : 
And  each  Greek  brought  a  different  fair  gift. 
Then  to  her  chamber  she,  divine  one,  went : 
The  beauteous  gifts  her  maidens  with  her  bore. 
They  to  the  dance  and  to  the  lovely  song 
Delighted  turned,  and  stayed  till  ev'ning  came.        305 
Dark  ev'ning  on  them  came  still  revelling  ; 
They  forthwith  in  the  house  three  braziers  placed 
To  show  them  light,  and  fire-wood  heaped  around, 


106  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    XVIII. 

Long  since  quite  dry  and  lately  cleft  with  brass, 
And  mingled  brands  therewith  :  Ulysses' maids      310 
Lighted  them  up  by  turns,  and  thus  to  them 
The  noble  wise  Ulysses  spake  himself : 
'  Ye  maids  of  king  Ulysses,  absent  long, 

*  Go  to  the  house  where  is  the  honoured  queen  : 

'  Near  her  the  spindles  turn,  and  in  the  house         315 

*  Sitting  delight  her  mind,  or  card  the  wool ; 

*  But  I  to  all  these  men  will  light  supply ; 

'  E'en  should  they  wish  to  wait  for  fair-throned  morn 
'  They  shall  not  tire  me  ;  I  can  much  endure.' 

He  spake  :  they  laughed  and  at  each  other  looked, 
And  fair  Melanthe  foully  chided  him  ;  320 

Her  Dolius  begat,  Penelope 
Tended,  and  as  her  own  child  brought  her  up, 
And  gave  her  playthings ;  she  not  even  so 
Felt  for  the  sorrow  of  Penelope,  325 

But  basely  with  Eurymachus  intrigued. 
She  chid  Ulysses  with  reviling  words : 
'  Thou,  wretched  stranger  !  art  deprived  of  sense, 
1  Nor  wilt  thou  to  some  smithy  go  to  sleep, 

*  Or  to  some  lodging-house,  but  babblest  here 

'  Boldly  mid  many  men,  nor  in  thy  thought  330 

'  Hast  fear  j  wine  surely  seizes  on  thy  mind, 
1  Or  it  is  always  such,  who  say'st  vain  words. 
'  Exultest  thou  that  thou  bast  overcome 
1  The  beggar  Irus  1  take  thou  heed  lest  soon 
'  A  better  one  than  Irus  may  rise  up, 
'  Who,  beating  with  his  sturdy  hands  thy  head,        335 
1  Smearing  with  blood  may  send  thee  from  the  house.' 
Ulysses  sternly  eyeing  her  replied  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XVIII.  107 

'  Soon  will  I  go  to  tell  Telemachus 

*  The  words  which  thou  hast  said,  thou  shameless  one  ! 
'  That  he  may  forthwith  cut  thee  limb  from  limb.' 

He  frightened  thus  the  women  with  his  words  :    340 
They  hurried  through  the  house,  the  limbs  of  each 
Faltered  with  fear;  they  thought  he  spoke  the  truth. 
He  by  the  burning  braziers,  shewing  light, 
Stood  looking  on  them  all ;  his  heart  the  while 
Thought  on  what  would  not  unaccomplished  be.       345 
Minerva  from  their  grievous  insolence 
Did  not  permit  the  suitors  to  refrain, 
That  rage  might  come  more  on  Ulysses'  heart. 
Eurymachus,  the  son  of  Polybus, 
Thus  to  them,  scoffing  at  Ulysses,  said,  350 

And  merriment  to  his  companions  caused  : 
1  Hear  me,  ye  suitors  of  the  noble  queen  ! 
'  While  what  my  mind  commands  me  I  shall  say. 
'  Not  to  Ulysses'  house  has  this  man  come 

*  Without  a  God  :  the  torches'  light  to  me 

'  Appears  from  him  and  from  his  head  to  come, 

*  For  there  no  hair,  not  e'en  a  little,  grows.'  355 

Warlike  Ulysses  then  he  thus  addressed  : 

*  Stranger  !  if  I  engage  thee,  wouldst  thou  take 
'  My  service  at  the  land's  extremity, 

'  (There  shall  be  ample  wages)  gath'ring  stones, 

1  And  tall  trees  planting  1  I  'd  give  yearly  food,         300 

*  Put  on  thee  clothes,  give  sandals  to  thy  feet ; 

*  But  thou,  for  thou  hast  learned  an  evil  trade, 

*  Wilt  not  consent  to  go  to  work,  but  wilt 

*  Prefer  to  beg  in  public,  till  thou  hast 

'  Wherewith  to  feed  thy  greedy  appetite.' 


108  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    XVIII. 

Prudent  Ulysses  answered  him,  and  said  :  305 

'  Eurymachus  !  if  there  were  rivalry 
1  Between  us  two  in  labour,  in  the  spring 
1  When  days  grow  long,  in  mowing  grass,  and  I 
'  Had  a  curved  scythe  and  thou  another  such, 
1  To  try  our  labour  fasting  until  dark, 
1  And  there  were  grass  at  hand  j  or  if  again  370 

1  There  oxen  were  to  drive,  the  best,  sleek,  large, 
'  Both  filled  with  grass,  in  age  and  burthen  paired, 
'  Of  no  mean  strength,  and  if  there  were  a  field 
1  Four-acred,  whose  soil  yielded  to  the  plough, 

*  Thou  'dst  see  if  I  could  lengthened  furrows  cut ;    375 
'  Or  if  the  son  of  Saturn  should  this  day 

1  Cause  war  from  somewhere,  and  I  had  a  shield, 

1  Two  spears,  and  helmet  fitted  to  my  brows, 

4  Thou  'dst  see  me  mingling  with  the  first  in  fight, 

*  Nor  wouldst  thou  then  my  appetite  reproach.         380 
'  But  thou  art  insolent,  thy  mind  is  rude ; 

*  Thou  think'st  thou  art  a  great  and  mighty  man, 

*  Consorting  with  a  few  and  those  not  good. 

'  But  should  Ulysses  come  and  reach  his  home, 

'  Soon  would  the  gates,  though  very  wide  they  are,  385 

*  Seem  narrow  for  thee,  flying  through  the  porch.' 

He  spake  :  Eurymachus  was  more  enraged, 
And  looking  sternly  spake  these  winged  words  : 
'  Wretch  !  I  will  soon  some  mischief  perpetrate 
1  For  what  thou  boldly,  publicly,  dost  speak,  390 

1  Nor  fearest :  wine  sure  seizes  on  thy  mind, 
!  Or  always  it  is  such,  wTho  speak'st  vain  words.' 
[■  Art  mad,  the  beggar  Irus  conquering  T] 

He  spake,  and  took  a  stool ;  Ulysses  sate, 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    XVIII.  109 

Fearing  Eurymachus,  before  the  knees 
Of  the  Dulichian  Amphinonms.  395 

He  on  his  right  hand  struck  the  cup-bearer, 
And  the  bowl  sounded  as  to  earth  it  fell, 
And  he  lay  groaning,  prostrate  in  the  dust. 
Through  the  dark  house  the  suitors  clamour  made, 
And  thus  one  looking  to  his  neighbour  said  :  400 

1  Would  that  the  stranger,  elsewhere  wandering, 
1  Had  died  before  he  came  !  he  would  not  then 

*  Have  caused  such  uproar.     We  for  beggars  now 
1  Contend,  and  in  the  banquet  there  will  be 

'  No  pleasure,  since  these  baser  deeds  prevail.' 

The  sacred  prince,  Telemachus,  thus  spoke  :  405 

1  Sirs  !  ye  are  mad,  nor  in  your  minds  conceal 

1  The  food  and  drink ;  some  God  sure  stirs  you  up. 

'  But,  having  feasted  well,  go  home  to  sleep, 

1  When  your  mind  bids  you ;  I  drive  none  away. ' 
He  spoke :  they  all,  with  teeth  fixed  in  their  lips,  410 

Admired  what  boldly  spake  Telemachus. 

Amphinomus  to  them  harangued,  and  said, 

[The  son  of  Nisus,  of  Aretias  son  :] 

'  My  friends  !  none  surely  would  be  vexed  or  rail 

'  With  angry  wrords  at  what  is  justly  said.  415 

*  No  more  the  stranger  treat  with  arrogance, 

*  Nor  any  servant  in  Ulysses'  house. 

'  Come,  let  the  cup-bearer  make  offerings, 

'  That,  when  we  have  libation  made,  we  may 

1  Go  home  to  sleep,  and  in  Ulysses'  house  420 

1  May  leave  the  stranger  to  Telemachus 

*  In  charge,  for  to  his  friendly  house  he  came.' 

He  spake,  and  said  words  pleasing  to  them  all  j 


110  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    XIX. 

For  them  a  bowl  the  hero  Mulius, 

Dulichian  herald,  of  Amphinomus 

The  servant,  mingled  and  distributed 

To  all  in  order.     To  the  blessed  Gods  425 

They  made  libation,  and  the  sweet  wine  drank. 

When  they  had  made  libation,  and  had  drunk 

All  that  their  mind  desired,  they  quickly  went 

Each  to  his  own  house  to  lie  down  to  sleep. 


BOOK      XIX 


Divine  Ulysses  in  the  house  alone 
Planned  with  Minerva's  aid  the  suitors'  death, 
And  to  Telernachus  these  winged  words  spake  : 
1  Telernachus  !  'twere  well  all  warlike  arms 
1  To  place  within,  but  with  soft  words  beguile  5 

1  The  suitors,  when  they  miss  them  and  inquire  : 
'  "  Out  of  the  smoke  I  placed  them,  for  no  more 
1  "  Are  they  like  those  which,  when  he  went  to  Troy, 
'  "  Ulysses  left  behind,  but  have  been  soiled 
'  "  Where  the  fire's  vapour  reached  them;  and  besides 
'  "  The  Deity  has  placed  this  greater  thing  10 

'  "  Within  my  mind,  lest  ye,  o'ercome  by  wine, 
' "  Should  raise  a  quarrel  and  each  other  wound, 
'  "  And  on  the  feast  and  wooing  bring  disgrace  ; 
'  "  For  of  itself  the  steel  excites  a  man."' 

He  spake  :  Telernachus  his  sire  obeyed, 
And  summoning  addressed  Euryclea  :  i:> 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX.  Ill 

1  Nurse  !  come  now,  keep  the  women  in  the  house, 
'  While  in  the  chamber  I  my  father's  arms 
-  Lay  up,  which  now  uncared-for  smoke  defiles, 
1  Since  the  departure  of  my  father ;  then 

*  I  was  an  infant ;  I  would  place  them  now 

*  Where  from  the  fire  the  vapour  will  not  reach.'       20 

To  him  the  nurse  Euryclea  replied  : 

*  Would  that,  my  child  !  thou  prudence  wouldst  assume, 

*  Care  for  thine  house,  and  all  thy  goods  protect ! 
1  But  who  will  go  with  thee  to  bear  a  light  1 

'  The  maids  who  ought  thou  'It  not  permit  to  go.'      25 
Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 

*  This  stranger  will  :  I  will  not  idle  leave 

*  One  who  my  food  tastes  and  who  comes  from  far.' 

So  spake  he  :  not  unheeded  flew  his  word, 
And  of  the  well-built  house  she  closed  the  doors.       30 
The  two,  Ulysses  and  his  noble  son, 
With  haste  the  helmets  and  the  bossy  shields 
And  the  sharp  spears  brought  in  ;  Minerva  held 
A  golden  lamp  and  gave  them  beauteous  light. 
Telemachus  his  father  then  addressed  :  35 

'  Father  !  I  see  a  wonder  with  mine  eyes  : 
1  The  palace  walls,  the  space  between  the  beams, 
'  The  pine-wood  rafters,  and  the  columns  tall, 
'  Shine  to  my  eyes,  as  though  of  burning  fire  : 
'  Some  God  of  those  who  dwell  in  heav'n  is  here.'       40 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 
'  Be  silent !  check  thy  thoughts  ;  no  questions  ask  : 
'  This  claim  the  Gods  who  in  Olympus  dwell. 

*  Go  thou  to  sleep  and  I  will  here  remain, 

'  That  I  may  call  thy  mother  and  the  maids  ;  45 


112  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIX. 

1  She  in  her  grief  will  many  questions  ask.' 

He  spake  :  throughout  the  house  Telemachus 
Went  to  his  chamber  to  lie  down,  below 
The  lighted  torches  where  before  he  lay, 
When  sweet  sleep  o'er  him  came  ;  and  lying  there 
He  waited  till  divine  Aurora  came.  50 

Divine  Ulysses  in  the  house  alone 
Planned  with  Minerva's  aid  the  suitors'  death. 
Forth  from  her  chamber  wise  Penelope, 
Like  golden  Venus  or  Diana,  came. 
Near  to  the  fire  they  placed  a  seat  whereon  55 

She  sate,  with  ivory  and  silver  wrought, 
Which  once  the  artizan  Icmalius 
Had  made,  and  placed  a  footstool  for  her  feet 
Attached  thereto,  where  a  large  fleece  was  thrown  ! 
There  then  the  wise  Penelope  sate  down. 
The  white-armed  maidens  from  the  palace  came  ;      co 
The  food  and  tables  they  removed  and  cups 
From  which  the  over-bearing  men  had  drunk. 
Fire  from  the  braziers  on  the  ground  they  threw, 
And  on  it  heaped  much  wood  for  light  and  warmth. 
Melanthe  then  again  Ulysses  chid  :  G5 

*  Stranger  !  still  wilt  thou  trouble  us  by  night, 

1  Through  the  house  ranging  and  the  women  watch  1 
'  But,  wretch  !  get  out  of  doors  ;  enjoy  thy  feast, 
1  Or  stricken  with  a  brand  thou  soon  shalt  go  !' 

Ulysses  sternly  eyeing  her  replied  :  70 

'  Why  angrily  attack  me  1  shameless  one  ! 

*  Is  it  because  I  squalid  am  and  wear 

'  Vile  garments,  and  go  begging  through  the  town  1 
1  For  need  compels ;  such  vagrants,  beggars  are. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XIX.  113 

1 1  too  once  prosp'rons  in  a  rich  house  dwelt,  75 

1  And  often  gave  to  such  a  wanderer, 

*  Whoe'er  he  was  and  in  what  need  he  came. 
4  Many  my  servants  were,  and  other  things 

*  In  which  men  live  well  and  are  counted  rich  ; 

'But  Saturn's  son  destroyed  me;  'twas  his  will  ;       80 

*  So,  woman  !  take  thou  heed  lest  thou  shouldst  lose 
1  The  beauteous  form  wherewith  thou  art  the  chief 

1  Among  the  maidens,  and  thy  mistress  be 

*  Enraged  with  thee  ;  or  lest  Ulysses  come, 

*  For  there  is  still  some  hope.     If  he  is  dead  85 
1  Nor  will  return,  he,  by  Apollo's  grace, 

'  Has  such  a  son  as  is  Telemachus. 

*  No  woman  in  the  house  who  does  foul  deeds 
'  Will  him  escape  ;  he  is  not  of  such  age.' 

So  spake  he  :  and  the  wise  Penelope 
Heard  him,  and  thus  her  hand-maiden  reproved  :      90 

*  Bold,  shameless  one  !  nor  dost  thou  me  escape, 
c  Doing  what  thou  shalt  pay  for  with  thine  head. 

*  Well  knew'st  thou,  for  thou  heard 'st  it  from  myself, 

*  That  I  would  ask  the  stranger  in  the  house 

*  About  my  husband  ;  for  I  greatly  grieve.'  95 

She  spake,  and  then  addressed  Eurynome, 
The  house-keeper  :  '  Eurynome  !  go  bring 

*  A  seat,  and  place  thereon  a  woolly  skin ; 

*  That  sitting  down  the  stranger  may  recite 

*  His  news,  and  hear  me  :  I  would  question  him.' 

She  spake :  the  servant  quickly  brought  and  placed 
A  polished  seat,  and  spread  a  fleece  thereon.  100 

There  suffering  divine  Ulysses  sate  ; 
And  to  them  wise  Penelope  began  : 


114  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIX. 

'  Stranger  !  I  first  of  all  will  question  thee  ; 

'  Who  art  thou1?  whence?  what  parents,  city,  thine  V   105 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said : 
c  Lady  !  no  mortal  on  the  boundless  earth 
'  Could  blame  thee  ;  to  the  sky  thy  fame  extends, 
1  As  of  some  noble  king,  who,  like  a  God, 
'  O'er  many  valiant  subjects  bearing  sway,  no 

'  Justice  maintains;  for  whom  black  earth  brings  forth 
'  Barley  and  wheat,  and  trees  are  weighed  with  fruit, 
1  Strong  sheep  bring  forth,  and  fish  the  sea  supplies 

*  In  his  good  rule,  and  subjects  valiant  are. 

1  Ask  me  then  other  questions  in  thine  house, 

4  Nor  of  my  race  and  native  land  inquire,  115 

1  Lest  thou  the  more  with  sorrows  fill  my  mind 

1  Rememb'ring  them.     I  am  a  man  of  woes  ; 

*  It  is  not  fit  that,  in  a  stranger's  house, 
'  I  should  lamenting  and  bewailing  sit, 

*  For  it  is  bad  to  grieve  unceasingly,  120 
1  Lest  any  servant  blame  me,  or  thyself, 

'And  say  that,  wreighed  by  wine,  I  weep  too  much.' 
To  him  the  w  ise  Penelope  replied  : 

*  Stranger  !  th'  immortals  have  indeed  destroyed 
'  My  excellence,  my  beauty,  and  my  form, 

'  Since  when  the  Greeks  embarked  for  Ilium,  125 

1  And  when  my  spouse  Ulysses  with  them  wrent. 
'  If  he  should  come,  as  guardian  of  my  life, 
1  Greater  and  fairer  would  be  my  renown. 

*  I  am  in  sorrow  now  ;  the  Deity 

'  Thus  violently  on  me  brought  such  woes. 

'  [As  many  chiefs  as  o'er  the  island  rule,  130 

'  Samos,  Zacynthus,  and  Dulichium, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XIX.  115 

'  And  dwell  in  sunny  Ithaca  itself, 

*  Woo  me  against  my  will,  and  waste  the  house] 

*  Not  strangers  then  I  heed,  nor  suppliants, 

*  Nor  heralds  who  are  public  officers  ;  135 
'  But  pining  for  Ulysses  melt  my  heart. 

'  They  urge  the  marriage,  but  I  plan  deceits  : 

*  God  first  of  all  inspired  my  mind  to  weave  : 

*  Within  the  house  a  web  I  fixed  and  wove, 

*  Fine,  beyond  measure  large,  and  said  to  them  :      140 
c "  Young  suitors  !  since  Ulysses  now  is  dead, 

' "  Delay  to  urge  my  marriage  on  me  till 

1 "  The  web  I  finish,  lest  my  threads  be  vain  : 

*  "  For  brave  Laertes  'tis  a  winding-sheet, 

1 "  When  of  long-sleeping  death  the  fate  shall  come,  145 
1  "  That  no  Greek  matron  may  indignant  be 

*  "  That  one  so  rich  should  die  without  a  shroud." 

*  This  said  I,  and  their  noble  mind  agreed. 

*  I,  while  by  day  the  mighty  web  I  wove, 

1  Unravelled  it  by  torch-light  in  the  night.  150 

*  Three  years  by  craft  I  thus  misled  the  Greeks  ; 

*  But  when  the  fourth  year  came  and  hours  went  on 
1  With  waning  months,  and  many  days  were  past, 

*  Then,  through  the  shameless,  senseless  maidens' means, 

*  They  came  and  found  me,  and  with  words  reproached  ; 

*  So  I  completed  it  against  my  will.  155 
'  I  can  the  marriage  nor  escape  nor  find 

*  Other  device  :  my  parents  urge  me  much 

i  To  wed ;  my  son  is  grieved  that  they  consume 
1  His  goods,  for  he  is  now  grown  up  and  can  ico 

'  Protect  his  house,  and  Jove  gives  him  renown. 
'  But  tell  me  still  thy  race  and  whence  thou  art  ; 


116  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XIX. 

1  From  an  old  oak  or  rock  thou  art  not  sprung.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  : 
'  Lady  !  Ulysses'  venerable  wife  !  1G5 

1  Wilt  thou  not  cease  from  asking  of  my  race  1 
'  Yet  I  will  tell  thee :  surely  thou  wilt  cause 

*  More  griefs  than  those  wherewith  I  am  oppressed  ; 
'  For  'tis  his  lot  when  for  so  long  a  time 

'  One  from  his  home  is  absent,  as  am  I, 

'  Wand'ring  o'er  many  towns  and  suff 'ring  woes :      170 

'  Yet  what  thou  askest  of  me  I  will  tell. 

'  Crete  is  a  country  in  the  dark  sea's  midst, 

'  Beauteous  and  rich,  with  water  circled  round  : 

1  Men  numberless,  and  ninety  towns  there  are  : 

'  The  language  there  of  diff 'rent  men  is  mixed  : 

'  There  are  Achseans,  true-bred  Cretans  brave,  175 

1  Cydonians,  three-crested  Dorians, 

'  And  the  divine  Pelasgi :  therein  is 

'  Gnosus,  a  city  large,  where  Minos  ruled, 

'  (Who  ev'ry  nine  years  talked  with  mighty  Jove,) 

1  Sire  of  my  sire,  the  brave  Deucalion.  180 

1  Deucalion  begat  me  and  the  king 

1  Idomeneus  j  he  with  th'  Atridse  went 

*  In  the  beaked  ships  to  Troy  ;  my  name  renowned 
'  Is  iEthon  j  younger  I,  he  first  and  best. 

'  I  saw  Ulysses  there,  and  gave  him  gifts  185 

c  Of  hospitality,  because  the  tempests'  force 

'  Brought  him  when  bound  for  Troy  to  Crete  and  drove 

'  Out  of  his  course  beside  the  Malese, 

'  And  in  Amnisus  placed  him,  where  the  cave 

'  Of  Ilithyia  is,  a  dang'rous  port, 

1  And  scarcely  there  did  he  escape  the  storms. 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XIX.  117 

1  Arriving  at  the  city  he  forthwith  190 

1  Sought  out  Idomeneus,  and  claimed  to  be 

*  A  dear  and  venerable  host  of  his. 

*  'Twas  now  the  tenth  or  the  eleventh  morn 

'  Since  with  his  crooked  ships  he  sailed  for  Troy : 

*  Him  I  took  home  and  entertained  him  well, 

*  Treating  him  kindly,  for  my  house  was  rich.  195 
6 1  gave  to  him  and  his  attendant  friends 

1  Meal  which  I  gathered  from  the  public  stores, 
'  Dark  wine,  and  beeves,  to  satisfy  their  mind. 

*  There  for  twelve  days  the  noble  Greeks  remained  : 

'  Strong  Boreas  drove  them  nor  allowed  to  stand      200 
'  E'en  on  the  shore  ;  some  evil  Deity 

*  Had  raised  it ;  but  upon  the  thirteenth  day 

i  The  wind  subsided  and  away  they  sailed.'  s\~  J 

^He  ceased,  and  many  falsehoods  to]pLli]^jtruiiisT--|^^ 
Tears  as  she  listened  flowed  ;  her  flesh  dissolved  :       * 
As  in  the  lofty  mountains  wastes  the  snow,  205 

Which  Eurus  melts  when  Zephyr  pours  it  down, 
So  her  fair  cheeks  were  melted  as  she  wept, 
Her  spouse  bewailing,  who  was  sitting  near. 
But  though  Ulysses  pitied  in  his  mind    - 
His  weeping  wife,  his  eyes  as  horn  or  steel  210 

Stood  firm  ;  his  tears  he  artfully  concealed. 
When  she  in  tearful  wailing  had  indulged, 
She  thus  forthwith  addressed  him  in  reply : 

*  I  think  to  put  thee,  stranger  !  to  the  proof  o15 

*  If  truly,  as  thou  say'st,  thou  hast  received 

'  My  husband  with  his  brave  friends  in  thy  house. 
1  Tell  me  what  clothes  were  round  his  body  placed  ; 

*  What  kind  of  man  he  was,  and  what  his  friends.' 


118  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX. 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  :  220 

'  Lady  !  'tis  hard,  when  so  much  time  has  passed, 
'  To  say ;  for  now  it  is  the  twentieth  year 
'  Since  he  departing  from  my  country  went : 
'  Still  I  will  tell  thee  as  my  heart  records. 
'  Divine  Ulysses  had  a  purple  cloak,  225 

'  Fleecy  and  double  j  on  it  there  was  fixed 
1 A  clasp  of  gold,  with  double  rings  in  front. 

*  It  was  embroidered  j  in  his  paws,  a  dog, 

'  Watching  it  panting,  held  a  spotted  fawn. 

'  All  used  to  wonder  how,  when  formed  of  gold, 

'  He  strangled  easily  the  fawn,  the  while  230 

*  Eager  to  fly  it  quivered  with  its  feet. 

'  A  shining  cloak  around  his  form  I  saw, 
1  As  though  it  were  a  slender  onion's  rind ; 
1  So  soft  it  was,  and  shining  like  the  sun, 

I  And  many  were  the  women  who  admired.  235 

*  Another  thing  I  tell  thee  ;  mark  it  wTell : 

I I  know  not  if  Ulysses  when  at  home 

'  These  garments  wore,  or  some  one  of  his  friends 
1  Had  giv'n  them  when  in  his  swift  ship  he  went, 

*  Or  some  host  haply  j  for  Ulysses  wras 

'  Beloved  by  many ;  few  Greeks  like  him  were.         240 
1 A  brazen  sword  and  double  cloak  I  gave, 
1  Fair,  purple,  that  enwrapped  him  all  around, 

*  And  honourably  sent  him  to  his  ship. 
'-  A  herald  little  older  than  himself 

'  Followed,  and  I  will  tell  thee  what  he  was  :  245 

*  Round-shouldered,  dark-skinned,  and  with  curly  hair, 
'  Eury bates  his  name  ;  Ulysses  loved 

*  Him  above  other  friends,  for  he  was  wise.' 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    XIX.  119 

He  spake  and  even  more  aroused  her  grief, 
Knowing  the  clear  signs  which  Ulysses  told  :  250 

And,  when  with  tearful  wailing  satisfied, 
She  with  these  words  addressed  him  in  reply  : 
'  Now,  stranger  !  pitied  though  thou  wert  before, 
1  Thou  shalt  be  dear  and  in  my  house  revered. 
'  I  gave  the  vests  thou  speakest  of  myself,  255 

'  Folding  them  in  my  chamber,  and  I  placed 
1  The  shining  clasp  to  be  his  ornament. 

*  'Twas  then  by  evil  fate  Ulysses  sailed 

1  To  seek  that  bad  Troy  which  should  not  be  named.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  :  200 

4  Lady  !  Ulysses'  venerable  wife  ! 

*  No  longer  waste  thy  beauteous  form  awray, 

1  Nor  mourning  for  thy  husband  melt  thy  mind. 

*  But  yet  I  blame  thee  not ;  for  any  wife 

*  Weeps  for  the  husband  she  has  lost,  to  wThom,         265 

*  Married  a  virgin,  she  has  children  borne, 
'  Though  to  Ulysses  far  inferior, 

*  Of  whom  they  say  that  he  was  like  the  Gods. 

'  But  check  thy  grief  and  understand  my  word, 

*  For  I  will  tell  thee  true,  nor  will  conceal, 

*  That  lately  of  Ulysses'  near  return,  270 
1  In  the  Thesprotians'  fertile  land  alive, 

*  I've  heard,  and  many  costly  things  he  brings, 

1  Courting  the  people  ;  but  his  much  loved  friends 

*  And  hollow  ship  has  on  the  dark  sea  lost, 
■  As  he  departed  from  Trinacria's  isle  ; 

1  For  Jove  was  angry  with  him,  and  the  Sun,  275 

*  Because  his  oxen  his  companions  slew ; 

*  And  they  all  perished  in  the  stormy  sea ; 


120  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIX. 

'  But  him  the  wave  cast  out  upon  the  shore, 

1  On  the  ship's  keel,  in  the  Phceacians'  land, 

'  Men  who  are  very  near  the  Gods,  and  they 

1  In  their  heart  honoured  him  as  if  a  God,  280 

'  Gave  many  gifts,  and  wished  to  send  him  home 

'  Unharmed.     Ulysses  would  have  long  ago 

1  Been  here,  but  this  seemed  better  to  his  mind, 

'  Over  much  land  to  pass  and  gifts  collect ; 

'  For  many  means  of  gain  Ulysses  knew  285 

'  Above  all  mortals  ;  none  with  him  could  vie. 

'  This  told  me  Pheidon,  the  Thesprotian  king, 

*  And,  pouring  out  libation  in  the  house, 

'  Swore  to  me  that  the  ship  was  launched,  the  crew 

'  Prepared  to  take  him  to  his  native  land.  290 

'  Me  first  he  sent  off  (for  by  chance  a  ship 

1  Of  the  Thesprotians  to  Dulichium 

•  .   *  In  wheat  abounding  came,)  and  showed  what  wealth 
AMJlysses  had  collected  j  and  it  would 

3  'To  the  tenth  generation  feed  a  man : 

i    '  Such  costly  treasures  in  the  king's  house  lay.  295 

'  He  said  that  he  had  to  Dodona  gone, 
1  To  ask  Jove's  counsel  from  the  high-branched  oak, 
'  How  he,  long  absent,  to  his  native  land 
I  Should  openly  or  secretly  return. 
So  he  is  safe ;  and  since  he  now  is  near  300 

Will  come,  nor  from  his  friends  and  native  land 
1  Be  absent  long  j  but  I  will  plight  an  oath  : 
1  Let  Jupiter,  the  highest  and  the  best 
'  Of  Gods,  now  first  be  witness,  and  the  hearth 
'  Of  famed  Ulysses  unto  which  I  come  : 
'  All  this  shall  be  accomplished,  as  I  say  :  305 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX.  121 

1  In  this  same  year  Ulysses  will  return, 

'  When  this  month  wanes,  and  when  the  next  arrives.' 

The  wise  Penelope  replied  and  said : 
1  Would,  stranger  !  that  thy  word  might  be  fulfilled  ! 
1  Soon  shouldst  thou  know  my  friendship,  and  have 
gifts  310 

1  So  num'rous  that  who  met  would  give  thee  joy. 

*  But  to  my  mind  it  seems  that  'twill  be  thus : 
1  Ulysses  will  not  to  his  home  return, 

1  Nor  thou  obtain  an  escort :  in  the  house 

*  Such  rulers  are  ;  not  now  as  once  o'er  men 

'  Ulysses  was,  aye  !  once  indeed  he  was,  315 

*  To  convoy  and  receive  respected  guests. 

1  But,  maidens  !  bathe  him  ;  place  for  him  a  bed, 

*  Cushions  and  vestments  and  resplendent  rugs, 

i  That  warm  he  may  the  gold-throned  morning  reach. 

'  Wash  and  anoint  him  at  the  early  dawn,  320 

'  That,  sitting  near  Telemachus,  he  may 

'  Within  the  palace  think  upon  the  feast ; 

1  And  woe-betide  whoever  of  them  grieves 

'  And  harasses  his  mind  !  no  deed  shall  he, 

1  Though  violently  angry,  here  perform. 

'  For  stranger  !  how  wilt  thou  discern  of  me  325 

*  That  other  women  I  excel  in  thought 

*  And  prudence,  shouldst  thou,  squalid  and  ill-clad, 
1  Feast  in  the  palace  1  men  but  short-lived  are  : 

'  Whoe'er  is  cruel  and  has  cruel  thoughts, 

*  On  him  all  imprecate  hereafter  woes  330 
1  Alive,  and  all  men  scoff  at  him  when  dead. 

*  Whoe'er  is  noble  and  has  noble  thoughts, 

*  His  wide-spread  glory  strangers  bear  abroad 


122  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIX. 

1  To  all  mankind,  and  many  call  him  good.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  :  335 

1  Lady  !  Ulysses'  venerable  wife  ! 
'  Cloaks  and  fine  blankets  cumbrous  are  to  me, 
'  Since  I  departed  from  the  snowy  hills 

*  Of  Crete,  embarking  in  a  long-oared  ship. 

1  As  I  before  through  sleepless  nights  reposed,  340 

'  I  still  will  lie  ;  for  many  nights  I  lay 

*  On  a  foul  couch,  and  longed  for  fair-throned  dawn. 
1  Baths  for  my  feet  agree  not  with  my  mind ; 

'  Nor  shall  there  any  woman  touch  my  foot, 

'  Of  those  who  are  the  servants  in  the  house  ;  345 

*  Unless  some  prudent  aged  dame  there  be, 

*  One  who  as  much  has  suffered  as  have  I : 

'  To  her  I  grudge  not  that  she  touch  my  feet.' 

The  wise  Penelope  to  him  replied : 
'  Dear  stranger  !  no  man  to  my  house  so  sage  350 

'  Or  welcome  of  all  foreign  guests  has  come  ; 

*  So  eloquently  all-wise  words  thou  say'st. 

i  I  have  an  old  dame,  prudent  in  her  mind, 

*  Who  nursed  and  brought  up  him,  the  wretched  one, 

1  And  held  him  when  his  mother  brought  him  forth  :    355 

'  She,  though  of  little  strength,  shall  wash  thy  feet. 

1  Prudent  Euryclea  !  now  rise  and  come 

'  To  wash  the  feet  of  one  of  equal  age 

1  With  thine  own  lord ;  perhaps  Ulysses  is 

'  Such  as  is  he  in  feet,  and  such  in  hands, 

*  For  in  misfortune  men  grow7  quickly  old.'  3G0 

She  spake :  the  old  dame  covered  with  her  hands 
Her  face,  let  hot  tears  fall,  and  sadly  said : 
'  Woe  's  me,  my  child  !  I  helpless  am  for  thee  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XIX.  123' 

'Jove  surely  hates  thee  more  than  any  one 

1  Who  has  a  pious  mind  ;  for  none  as  thon  365 

1  Has  ever  burned  to  Jove  the  thunderer 

*  So  many  fat  thighs  or  choice  hecatombs 

1  As  thou  hast  giv'n  him,  praying  that  thou  reach 

1  Quiet  old  age,  and  rear  thy  noble  son. 

1  Yet  he  return  has  taken  quite  away ; 

■  And  so,  perhaps,  the  maids  of  foreign  hosts  370 

1  Scoff  at  him,  when  to  some  strange  house  he  comes, 

1  As  all  those  shameless  women  scoffed  at  thee, 

!  Shunning  whose  insolence  and  foul  reproach 

1  Thou  dost  not  suffer  them  to  wash  thy  feet. 

*  Me  not  unwilling  wise  Penelope; 

1  The  daughter  of  Icarius,  commands  :  375 

1  For  the  sake,  therefore,  of  Penelope, 

1  And  for  thine  own  too,  I  will  wash  thy  feet. 

1  My  mind  within  me  is  perplexed  by  cares ; 

1  But  come  now,  mark  the  word  that  I  shall  speak  ; 

1  Hither  have  many  wretched  strangers  come, 

1  But  never  have  I  seen  one  who  as  thou  380 

4  In  form,  voice,  feet,  was  to  Ulysses  like.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her,  and  said  : 
'  Old  dame  !  as  many  as  have  seen  us  both 
1  So  say,  as  thou  with  observation  say'st, 
1  That  to  each  other  we  great  likeness  bear.'  385 

He  spake ;  the  aged  dame  a  cauldron  took 
All  shining  bright  in  which  to  wash  the  feet. 
She  poured  in  much  cold  water  and  therein 
She  mingled  warm.     Ulysses  on  the  hearth 
Sate  down,  and  quickly  to  a  dark  place  turned, 
For  he  bethought  him  in  his  mind,  that  she 


124  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIX. 

Would  find  the  scar,  and  so  the  truth  appear.  390 

Her  master  she  approached  and  washed,  and  knew 
At  oncejjie  scar^which  with  white  tuskthejboar 
"Inflicted  as  he  to  Parnassus  went 
With  his  own  mother's  sire  Autolycus 
And  with  his  sons,  who  other  men  surpassed  395 

In  theft  and  perjury  ;  (this  Mercury 
Gave  him  because  he  burned  the  welcome  thighs 
Of  lambs,  and  kindly  guarded  him.) 
To  Ithaca's  rich  land  Autolycus 

Came,  and  his  daughter's  son  found  newly  born.       400 
Upon  his  knees  Euryclea  had  laid 
The  child  when  he  from  supper  ceased,  and  said : 

*  Autolycus  !  thyself  now  find  a  name 

*  Which  to  thy  daughter's  dear  son  thou  mayst  give ; 
1  For  he  has  been  obtained  by  many  pray'rs.' 

To  her  Autolycus  replied,  and  said  :  405 

'  My  son-in-law  and  daughter  !  give  the  name 
'  I  say  :  enraging  many,  I  am  come, 
-  Both  men  and  women  in  the  fertile  earth ; 
'  Let  then  Ulysses  be  his  name,  and  I, 

*  When  he  grown  up  shall  to  Parnassus  come, 

*  His  great  maternal  house  where  is  my  wealth,        410 

*  Some  I  will  give  and  send  him  pleased  away.' 

That  he  might  gifts  bestow,  Ulysses  went : 
Autolycus,  and  of  Autolycus 

The  sons,  with  hands  and  kind  words  greeted  him.   415 
Amphithea  his  mother's  mother  clasped 
And  kissed  Ulysses'  head  and  two  fair  eyes. 
Autolycus  then  bade  his  noble  sons 
Prepare  a  feast  j  they,  as  he  urged,  obeyed, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX.  125 

And  brought  a  male  ox  in,  of  five  years  oJd ;  420 

They  skinned,  prepared  it,  and  divided  all, 

Cat  skilfully  in  joints  and  fixed  on  spits, 

Roasted  with  care  and  parted  into  shares. 

They  thus  all  day,  until  the  set  of  sun, 

Feasted,  nor  lacked  their  mind  the  equal  food.  425 

But  when  the  sun  had  set  and  darkness  came, 

They  lay  them  down  and  took  the  gift  of  sleep. 

When  early  rosy-fingered  morn  appeared, 

They  hasted  to  the  chace,  both  dogs  and  they, 

Sons  of  Autolycus  ;  and  with  them  went 

Divine  Ulysses.     To  Parnassus'  mount,  430 

Lofty  and  clothed  with  wood,  they  came  and  soon 

Climbed  to  the  breezy  heights :  just  then  the  sun 

From  deep  fair-flowing  ocean  touched  the  fields. 

The  huntsmen  to  the  valleys  came,  the  dogs, 

Eager  to  find  the  tracks,  before  them  went.  435 

The  sons  came  after  of  Autolycus : 

Divine  Ulysses  with  them  near  the  dogs 

Came  brandishing  a  long  spear  in  his  hands. 

There  lay  a  huge  boar  in  a  thicket  deep, 

Through  which  nor  blew  the  force  of  watr'y  winds,    410 

Nor  the  sun  struck  when  shining  with  its  rays, 

Nor  did  the  shower  penetrate ;  so  thick 

It  was ;  and  great  the  pile  of  leaves  therein. 

The  sound  of  men's  feet  and  of  dogs  came  round, 

As  they  went  rushing  on  ;  he  from  his  lair,  445 

With  bristling  crest  while  from  his  eyes  flashed  fire, 

Stood  near  in  front :  Ulysses  far  the  first, 

Holding  a  long  spear  in  his  hand,  rushed  on 

Eager  to  wound  him ;  but  the  boar  struck  first 


\ 


126  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX. 

Above  his  knee,  and  rushing,  with  his  tusk  450 

Obliquely  tore  much  flesh  nor  reached  the  bone. 
On  the  right  shoulder  then  Ulysses  struck 
And  wounded   him;    the  spear's  point    passed   right 

through, 
And  groaning  in  the  dust  he  fell  and  died. 
Of  him  the  dear  sons  of  Autolycus  455 

Took  care,  and  skilfully  bound  up  the  wound 
Of  the  divine  Ulysses  ;  by  a  charm 
Staunched  the  black  blood  and  bore  him  to  their  home. 
Him,  having  healed  him  and  rich  gifts  bestowed, 
Autolycus  rejoicing  with  his  sons  460 

Soon  sent  rejoicing  to  dear  Ithaca. 
His  sire  and  venerable  mother  joyed 
At  his  return,  and  many  questions  put 
As  to  the  wound  he  suffered  :  well  he  told 
How  that  a  boar  with  white  tusk  wounded  him,       465 
As,  with  the  dear  sons  of  Autolycus, 
He  to  Parnassus'  mount  a-hunting  weufe^ 

The  old  dame,  taking  in  her  hands  laid  flat 
And  wiping,  recognised  the  wounded  knee. 
She  let  his  foot  drop  ;  in  the  cauldron  fell 
His  leg  ;  the  brass  resounding  on  its  side 
Fell  down ;  the  water  on  the  ground  was  spilled.     470 
Both  joy  and  grief  at  once  possessed  her  mind  ; 
Her  eyes  were  filled  with  tears,  her  voice  was  choked. 
Touching  Ulysses  on  the  beard  she  said  : 
•  Surely  thou  art  Ulysses,  my  dear  child  ! 
1  Nor  till  I  handled  did  I  know  my  king.'  475 

She,  glancing  at  Penelope,  desired 
To  tell  her  that  her  husband  was  within  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX.  127 

But  she  could  neither  see  nor  understand, 

Because  Minerva  turned  her  mind  aside. 

With  his  right  hand  Ulysses  seized  her  throat,  480 

And  with  the  other  drew  her  near,  and  said  : 

*  Nurse  !  dost  thou  wish  to  kill  me  ?  thou  who  once 
4  At  thine  own  breast  didst  nourish  me  thyself? 

*  I,  having  suffered  many  sorrows,  now 

*  Come  to  my  country  in  the  twentieth  year  : 

*  But  since  thou  hast  discovered  me,  and  God 

1  Has  put  it  in  thy  mind,  0  silence  keep  !  485 

1  Nor  let  another  in  the  palace  hear  : 
4  For  thus  I  tell  thee,  and  it  shall  be  done  : 
'  If  the  proud  suitors  God  for  me  subdue, 
'  I  will  not  spare  thee,  though  my  nurse,  when  I 
'  The  other  women  in  the  house  shall  slay.'  490 

The  wise  Euryclea  to  him  replied  : 

*  My  child  !  what  word  has  from  thy  lips  escaped  ? 

*  Thou  know'st  how  firm  and  stedfast  is  my  mind  ; 
'  I'll  hold  it  as  hard  rock  or  steel  might  do. 

'  This  too  I  tell  thee,  weigh  it  in  thy  mind :  495 

1  If  the  proud  suitors  God  for  thee  subdue, 
i  I'll  tell  thee  of  the  women  in  the  house, 
'  Who  thee  dishonour,  and  who  guiltless  are.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  : 
1  But,  nurse  !  why  point  them  out?  there  is  no  need  ; 
'  For  I  myself  will  each  detect  and  know  :  500 

'  But  silence  keep  and  trust  it  to  the  Gods.' 

He  spake  :  the  old  dame  from  the  palace  went 
To  bring  a  foot-bath,  for  the  first  was  spilled. 
When  she  had  bathed  and  rubbed  him  o'er  with  oil,  505 
Nearer  the  fire  Ulysses  drew  a  seat 


128  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX. 

To  warm  himself,  and  hid  the  scar  with  rags. 

The  wise  Penelope  a  speech  began : 

'  Stranger  !  but  little  I  will  ask  thee  yet : 

*  'Twill  soon  be  time  of  soft  repose  for  one  510 

*  Whom,  though  in  trouble,  sweet  sleep  overcomes. 

*  To  me  the  God  has  given  grief  immense  ; 
'  By  day  in  groans  and  wailing  I  indulge, 

1  And  works  and  hand-maids  in  the  house  o'erlook  : 
6  But  when  night  comes  and  bed  receives  us  all,        515 

*  I  lie  upon  my  couch,  and  gath'ring  cares 

*  Sharp  on  my  heart  distress  me  as  I  weep. 
'  As  the  dark  nightingale,  of  Pandarus 

*  The  child,  sings  sweetly  in  the  new-come  spring, 

'  And  pours  with  frequent  change  her  thrilling  voice, 

*  Sitting  among  the  thick  leaves  of  the  trees,  e  520 

*  Wailing  her  dear  child  Itylus,  the  son  "L>^  '^^V 
1  Of  ZeJjiuSjjvhom.  in  ignorance  she  slew  ; 

*  So  here  and  there  my  mind  is  doubly  urged, 
'  Either  to  stay  here  with  my  son  and  keep 

'  All  safe,  possessions,  servants,  lofty  house,  525 

4  A  husband's  couch  respect  and  public  fame, 

1  Or  follow  him  who  of  the  Greeks  the  best 

'  Woos  me,  and  many  spousal  gifts  bestows. 

'  My  son,  while  yet  a  child  and  weak  in  mind,  530 

1  To  wed  and  quit  my  husband's  house  forbade  : 

*  He  now,  grown  up  and  come  to  man's  estate, 
'  Entreats  me  from  the  palace  to  depart, 

1  Vexed  at  the  property  the  Greeks  consume. 

'  But  come,  explain  and  listen  to  a  dream.  535 

6  Forth  from  the  water  twenty  geese  ate  wheat 

'  Within  my  house,  which  I  rejoiced  to  see  : 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XIX.  129 

'  A  mighty  eagle  with  a  crooked  beak 
1  Came  from  a  mountain,  and  broke  all  their  necks 
'  And  slew  them ;  they  in  heaps  throughout  the  house 
'  Were  strewn  ;  but  in  the  air  divine  he  soared.        540 

*  I  wept  and  wailed,  although  'twas  in  a  dream. 

'  The  fair-haired  Grecian  women  round  me  came, 

*  Bewailing  that  the  eagle  killed  my  geese ; 
1  But  he  came  down  and  on  the  gable  sate, 

*  And  checked  me  with  a  mortal  voice  and  said  :       545 
'  "  Take  courage,  child  of  famed  Icarius  ! 

1 "  No  dream  this,  but  a  sign  to  be  fulfilled. 

'  "  The  suitors  are  the  geese,  the  eagle  I ; 

* "  A  bird  once,  now  thy  husband  I  am  come, 

1 "  And  to  the  suitors  wretched  fate  will  bring."       550 

'  So  spake  he,  and  sweet  sleep  deserted  me, 

*  And  looking  through  the  house  I  saw  the  geese 
'  In  the  trough  eating,  as  before,  the  wheat.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said : 

*  Lady  !  it  is  not  possible  to  turn  555 
'  The  dream,  or  to  expound  it  otherwise, 

1  Because  Ulysses  said  to  thee  himself 

*  That  it  would  be  accomplished.     Death  is  shewn 
'  To  all  the  suitors,  nor  will  one  escape.' 

The  wise  Penelope  replied  and  said  : 

*  Stranger  !  '  tis  true  that  dreams  uncertain  are,       560 

*  Hard  to  interpret,  nor  are  all  fulfilled. 

r  There  are  two  gates  of  unsubstantial  dreams  ; 
|*  These  made  of  bone  and  those  of  ivory. 

*  Those  of  them  which  come  through  sawn  ivory 

1  Mislead,  and  bring  words  not  to  be  fulfilled  ;  5G5 

'  But  these  that  through  the  polished  horn  proceed, 


130  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XIX. 

1  When  any  mortal  sees  them,  bring  the  truth. 

'  But  my  dread  dream  I  deem  not  thence  to  come  ; 

'  Yet  'twould  be  welcome  to  my  son  and  me. 

'  Another  thing  I  tell  thee,  wTeigh  it  well :  570 

'  This  is  the  hateful  morning  which  will  take 

1  Me  from  Ulysses'  house  ;  for  I  propose 

1  A  contest,  axes  which  he  used  to  place 

1  In  order  in  his  house,  like  stays  of  oak, 

*  Twelve  of  them  altogether  ;  far  apart 

1  He  stood  and  shot  an  arrow  through  them  all.       575 

4  This  contest  to  the  suitors  I  propose  : 

'  Whoever  easily  shall  stretch  the  bow, 

1  And  through  twelve  axes  shall  an  arrow  shoot, 

*  Him  I  will  follow  and  will  quit  the  house, 

'  Fair,  rich,  to  which  I  when  a  virgin  came,  580 

*  And  shall,  I  think,  remember  in  a  dream.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said : 
'  Respected  lady  !  of  Laertes'  son 
'  Ulysses'  wife  !  defer  not  to  propose 

*  This  contest  in  the  house  ;  for  hither  will 

'  The  wise  Ulysses  come,  before  those  men  58,5 

'  Handling  the  polished  bow  shall  stretch  the  string, 
'  And  shoot  an  arrow  through  the  rings  of  steel.' 
The  wise  Penelope  again  replied  : 

*  If,  stranger  !  sitting  by  me  in  the  house, 

*  Thou  wouldst  delight  me,  sleep  should  not  be  poured 

*  Upon  my  eyes ;  but  'tis  not  fit  that  men  590 

*  Should  always  sleepless  bo  :  immortals  gave 
1  This  portion  to  all  mortals  upon  earth. 

'  Now  to  my  upper  chamber  I  will  go, 

1  And  lie  upon  the  bed,  made  sad  for  me,  595 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX.  131 

*  Ever  besprinkled  with  my  tears,  since  when 

'  To  see  that  bad  Troy  which  should  not  be  named 
1  Ulysses  went,  and  there  will  lay  me  down  ; 
'  But  lie  thou  in  the  house,  and  strew  thy  bed 

*  Upon  the  ground,  or  let  them  place  a  couch.' 

Thus  speaking  to  the  shining  upper  room  600 

She  went,  but  not  alone,  for  with  her  went 
The  handmaids ;  but,  when  to  the  upper  rooms 
She  with  her  women-servants  came,  she  there 
Wept  for  her  spouse  Ulysses,  till  sweet  sleep 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  on  her  eye-lids  shed. 


BOOK     XX. 


Divine  Ulysses  in  the  hall  remained  : 
An  undressed  ox-hide  on  the  ground  he  spread, 
And  fleeces  of  the  sheep  the  Greeks  had  slain. 
Euronyme  threw  over  him  a  cloak 
As  he  reposed  :  Ulysses  in  his  mind 
Against  the  suitors  meditating  ills  5 

Lay  there  awake  :  the  women  from  the  house, 
Who  with  the  suitors  had  intrigued  before, 
Laughing  and  sporting  with  each  other  went. 
His  wrath  within  his  breast  was  roused,  and  much 
He  meditated  in  his  mind  and  thought  10 

Whether  to  rush  and  cause  the  death  of  each, 
Or  with  the  suitors  for  the  last  last  time 
Let  them  consort :  his  heart  within  him  growled, 


132  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XX. 

As  a  hound,  busied  with  her  tender  whelps, 

Growls  at  a  stranger  and  desires  to  fight ;  15 

So  wond'ring  at  their  bad  deeds  growled  his  heart. 

Smiting  his  breast  he  thus  his  heart  rebuked  : 

1  Bear  up,  my  heart !  thou  hast  borne  worse  before, 

'  In  that  day  when  the  Cyclops,  unrestrained 

'  In  violence,  my  brave  companions  ate. 

'  Thou  didst  endure  it,  till  thy  stratagem  20 

*  Led  thee  expecting  death  from  out  the  cave.' 

He  spake,  his  heart  rebuking  in  his  breast : 
His  heart,  as  by  a  cable  bound,  stood  firm, 
Enduring  still ;  from  side  to  side  he  rolled, 
As  when  one  turns  before  a  blazing  fire  25 

From  side  to  side  a  paunch,  with  fat  and  blood 
Replete,  and  wishes  it  were  roasted  soon  ; 
So  here  and  there  he  rolled,  reflecting  how 
He  on  the  shameless  suitors  might  lay  hands, 
Alone  on  many.     Near,  Minerva  came  30 

Down  from  the  sky,  a  woman  in  her  form, 
And  standing  o'er  his  head  addressed  him  thus  : 
'  Why  wakest  thou  ?  ill  fated  above  all ! 
c  This  is  thine  house,  thy  wife  is  here  and  son, 
'  Whom  any  one  would  wish  to  be  his  child.'  35 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  : 

*  Aye,  Goddess  !  all  this  thou  hast  rightly  said  ; 
'  But  in  my  breast  my  mind  deliberates 

'  How  on  the  shameless  suitors  I  shall  lay 

'  My  hands  alone,  while  many  they  within.  40 

'  This  I  consider  too,  a  greater  thing, 

'  How,  if  I  slay  them  by  Jove's  help  and  thine, 

'  Shall  I  escape  1  I  pray  thee  think  on  this.' 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX.  133 

Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  thus  replied : 

*  Hard  man  !  and  yet  there  are  who  would  obey        45 
1  E'en  a  worse  friend,  one  mortal  and  unskilled 

*  In  so  great  counsels  :  I  a  Goddess  am, 

*  And  guide  thee  constantly  in  many  toils. 

*  I  tell  thee  plainly  that,  if  fifty  troops 

1  Of  speaking  men  should  stand  around  us  two,         50 

1  Eager  to  slay  us  in  the  fight  of  Mars, 

1  Their  beeves  and  fat  sheep  thou  shouldst  drive  away. 

*  Let  sleep  come  over  thee  ;  to  watch  all  night 
1  Awake  is  grief ;  from  ills  thou  shalt  escape.' 

She  spake,  and  sleep  upon  his  eyelids  poured ; 
And  she,  divine  one,  to  Olympus  went,  55 

While  sleep  was  seizing  him,  which  of  the  mind 
Relieves  the  cares,  and  sets  the  members  free. 
His  wife,  who  knew  good  counsels,  was  awake, 
And,  in  her  soft  couch  sitting  up,  she  wept. 
When  she  had  satisfied  her  mind  with  tears, 
Woman  divine,  she  to  Diana  prayed  :  60 

4  Diana  !  honoured  Goddess  !  child  of  Jove  ! 

*  0  that  thou  wouldst  an  arrow  in  my  breast 
1  Strike  even  now,  and  take  my  life  away  ! 

1  Or  that  a  tempest,  hurrying  me  off, 

*  Would  come  and  bear  me  o'er  the  gloomy  ways, 

'  And  cast  me  in  back-flowing  Ocean's  waves :  65 

*  As  once  the  tempest  bore  the  daughters  off 
'  Of  Pandarus ;  of  whom  the  Gods  had  slain 

*  The  parents  ;  they  within  the  house  were  left 

'  Orphans,  but  heav'nly  Venus  brought  them  up 

*  With  curd,  sweet  honey,  and  delicious  wine. 

'  To  them  above  all  women  Juno  gave  70 


134  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX. 

1  Beauty  and  sense,  and  chaste  Diana  form  ; 

*  Minerva  taught  them  beauteous  works  to  do. 
1  When  Venus  to  the  high  Olympus  went, 

*  To  ask  a  happy  marriage  for  the  girls 

1  From  thund'ring  Jove,  for  of  all  mortal  men  75 

*  The  fortune  and  misfortune  well  he  knows. 

1  The  Harpies  meanwhile  snatched  the  girls  away, 

1  And  made  them  the  detested  Furies  serve. 

'  May  the  Olympian  Gods  so  me  destroy, 

1  Or  may  fair-haired  Diana  strike  me  down,  80 

1  That,  with  Ulysses  still  before  mine  eyes, 

'  I  may  go  underneath  the  hateful  earth, 

1  Nor  please  a  man  to  him  inferior  ! 

*  Yet  even  this  may  be  endured,  when  one 
1  Weeps  all  the  day  afflicted  in  his  heart 

'  If  sleep  comes  over  him  at  night,  for  then  85 

'  He  all  forgets,  the  evil  and  the  good, 
'  As  soon  as  sleep  his  eyelids  covers  o'er; 
'  But  God  upon  me  sends  distressful  dreams  : 
'  This  night  one  like  him  near  me  lay,  one  such 

*  As  with  the  army  went ;  my  heart  rejoiced ; 

1  No  dream  I  thought  it,  but  a  vision  true.'  90 

So  spake  she  :  gold- throned  morning  quickly  came. 
Divine  Ulysses  heard  her  as  she  wept, 
And  was  perplexed ;  he  fancied  in  his  mind 
She  knew  him  and  was  standing  at  his  head. 
Gathering  the  cloak  and  skins  on  which  he  slept,       95 
He  laid  them  on  a  seat  within  the  house ; 
The  ox-hide  took  and  placed  it  out  of  doors, 
And  lifting  up  his  hands  he  prayed  to  Jove : 

*  0  father  Jove  !  if  ye  have  willingly 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX.  135 

*  Brought  me  across  both  dry  and  wat'ry  ways 

*  To  my  own  country,  after  much  distress, 

*  Let  some  one  of  the  men  who  are  awake  loo 
1  An  omen  speak  to  me  within,  and  let 

'Another  sign  appear  from  Jove  without.' 

He  spake  in  pray'r  ;  and  Jove  the  counsellor 
Heard  him  and  thundered  from  Olympus  bright, 
From  out  the  clouds  on  high ;  Ulysses  joyed. 
Near  him  a  woman,  working  at  a  mill,  105 

Uttered  an  omen  from  the  house  ;  the  mills 
Which  to  the  people's  chief  belonged  were  there  ; 
In  all  twelve  women  were  at  work  with  these, 
Preparing  meal  and  flour,  the  life  of  men  j 
The  others  slept  when  they  had  ground  the  wheat ; 
She,  feeblest  of  them,  had  not  ceased  ;  the  mill       no 
She  stopped  and  spake  an  omen  for  the  king : 
1  0  father  Jove  !  who  rulest  Gods  and  men, 
1  Loud  hast  thou  thundered  from  the  starry  sky, 
'  Nor  is  there  cloud  ;  thou  shew'st  a  sign  to  some  : 
1  Perform  for  wretched  me  the  word  I  speak  :  115 

1  Grant  that  the  suitors  may  on  this  day  take 
1  Their  last  last  banquet  in  Ulysses'  house, 

*  For  they  with  grievous  weariness  have  loosed 

'  My  knees  in  grinding ;  be  this  feast  their  last ! ' 

She  spake  :  divine  Ulysses  was  rejoiced  120 

At  th'  omen  and  Jove's  thunder;  for  he  thought 
On  the  transgressors  he  should  be  avenged. 
The  other  maidens,  in  Ulysses'  house 
Assembling,  kindled  on  the  hearth  a  fire. 
Telemachus,  the  godlike  man,  arose  124 

From  off  his  couch  ;  his  garments  donned,  and  placed 


136  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX. 

A  sharp  sword  o'er  his  shoulders ;  sandals  fair 

Bound  on  his  shining  feet ;  a  strong  spear  took 

With  sharp  brass  pointed ;  on  the  threshold  stood, 

And  with  these  words  addressed  Euryclea : 

'  Have  ye,  dear  nurse  !  with  honour  entertained 

'  The  stranger  in  the  house  with  bed  and  food  1 

'  Or  does  he  lie  neglected,  as  it  haps  1  130 

'  For  such  my  mother,  though  she  prudent  be, 

1  That  rashly  one  of  language-speaking  men 

'  She  treats  with  honour,  though  inferior ; 

'But  sends  a  better  man  disgraced  away.' 

The  wise  Euryclea  to  him  replied  : 
'  My  child  !  thou  shouldst  not  blame  a  blameless  one  ; 
'  He  sate  and  drank  as  much  wine  as  he  wished,       135 
'  And  said  he  had  no  appetite  for  bread ; 
'  For  this  she  asked  him.     When  of  bed  and  sleep 
6  He  thought,  she  bade  the  handmaids  strew  a  couch  ; 
'  But  he,  as  one  in  woe  and  evil  fate,  140 

1  Would  not  consent  to  sleep  upon  a  bed 
6  And  rugs,  but  on  an  undressed  ox's  hide 
'  And  skins  of  sheep  within  the  portico 
'  He  lay,  and  we  threw  over  him  a  cloak.' 

She  spake  :  Telemachus  went  from  the  house, 
Holding  a  spear ;  the  swift  dogs  followed  him,         145 
And  to  the  forum  to  the  well-greaved  Greeks 
He  went.     Euryclea  divine,  the  child 
Of  Ops  Peisenor's  son,  the  maids  addressed : 
1  Assemble  ye  !  some  busy  sweep  the  house 
1  And  sprinkle  it,  and  on  the  well-made  thrones 
'  Lay  purple  carpets  ;  others  of  you  wipe  150 

'  With  sponges  all  the  tables,  cleanse  the  cups, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX.  137 

1  And  the  wrought  double  goblets  ;  others  go 

'  For  water  to  the  fountain,  bring  it  quick ; 

1  For  from  the  house  the  suitors  will  not  long 

1  Be  absent,  but  will  come  again  at  dawn  :  155 

*  There  is  for  all  of  them  a  festival/ 

She  spake  and  they  all  hearkened  and  obeyed. 
To  the  dark  fountain  twenty  of  them  went, 
The  rest  worked  skilfully  within  the  house. 
The  servants  of  the  Grecians  came ;  some  cleft        160 
The  dry  wood  well  and  skilfully ;  the  maids 
Came  from  the  fountain  ;  then  the  swineherd  came, 
Bringing  three  swine,  the  best  among  them  all ; 
These  he  to  pasture  in  the  fair  courts  left, 
And  with  mild  words  Ulysses  thus  addressed  :         165 
■  Do  the  Greeks,  stranger  !  now  respect  thee  more, 

*  Or  in  the  house  ill  treat  thee  as  they  did?' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 
'  Would  that  the  Gods,  Eumseus  !  would  revenge 
'  Their  outrage,  while  they  insolently  plan 
'  Disgraceful  actions  in  another's  house,  170 

1  And  have  not  e'en  a  particle  of  shame.' 

So  spake  they  to  each  other  :  then  approached 
Melanthius,  the  keeper  of  the  goats, 
Bringing  the  goats  which  in  the  herd  excelled, 
The  suitors'  feast,  (two  goat-herds  followed  him)     175 
And  these  he  tied  beneath  the  sounding  porch, 
And  to  Ulysses  spake  with  scoffing  words  : 

*  Stranger  !  dost  still  cause  trouble  in  the  house, 
'  Begging  of  men,  nor  out  of  doors  wilt  go  % 

1  I  think  we  shall  not  settle  our  dispute  ISO 

*  Before  we  taste  each  other's  hands  ;  thou  begg'st 


138  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XX. 

'  Unfairly  ;  there  are  other  feasts  of  Greeks.' 
He  spake :  the  wise  Ulysses  answered  not, 
But  silent  shook  his  head  devising  woes. 
Philcetius  a  chief  of  men  came  third,  185 

Leading  a  barren  heifer  and  fat  goats, 
The  suitors'  feast :  (these  ferry -men  had  brought, 
Who  men,  whoever  to  them  comes,  convey  ;) 
And  these  he  tied  beneath  the  sounding  porch, 
And  standing  near  the  swineherd  questioned  him  :   190 
1  Who,  swineherd  !  is  the  stranger,  lately  come 

*  To  our  abode  ?  of  what  men  does  he  boast 

1  To  be  1  what  race  ?  and  what  his  father-land  1 

'  Ill-fated,  he  is  like  a  king  in  form  ; 

1  But  men  who  wander  much  the  Gods  afflict,  195 

[  Since  woes  they  destine  even  unto  kings.' 

He  spake,  and  with  his  right  hand,  standing  near, 
A  welcome  gave  and  spoke  these  winged  words  : 
'  Hail,  rev'rend  stranger  !  henceforth  be  success 

*  To  thee,  though  now  by  many  ills  opprest.  200 

*  0  father  Jove  !  no  God  is  more  than  thou 

*  Destructive  ;  thou  no  pity  hast  for  men, 

'  Although  thou  hast  thyself  begotten  them, 
1  But  dost  with  woes  and  sorrows  mix  them  up. 

*  How  when  I  think  I  sweat ;  my  eyes  are  filled 

'  With  tears,  when  I  Ulysses  call  to  mind,  205 

'  And  think  that  he  too  wears  such  rags  as  these, 
4  And  wanders  among  men,  if  yet  he  lives 
'  And  sees  the  sun-light  ;  but  if  he  is  dead 

*  In  Pluto's  house,  0  for  Ulysses  woe  ! 

*  That  noble  man,  who  placed  me  in  the  land 

1  Of  Cephallenia,  when  little  still,  210 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX.  139 

'  Over  his  kine  ;  they  now  are  numberless, 
1  Nor  could  in  any  other  way  the  race 

*  Of  a  man's  broad -browed  oxen  more  increase. 

*  Now  others  bid  me  bring  them  for  themselves 
'  To  eat,  nor  heed  they  in  the  house  his  son, 

*  Nor  tremble  at  the  vengeance  of  the  Gods ; 

*  For  eagerly  they  wish  to  share  the  goods  215 
'  Of  the  long-absent  king  among  themselves. 

6  But  in  my  breast  my  mind  this  oft  revolves  : 

■  Tis  surely  wicked  while  the  son  yet  lives 

1  To  go  to  others'  land,  to  stranger  men, 

'  And  take  their  beeves  ;  but  'tis  more  shocking  still    220 

'  That  o'er  another's  beeves,  remaining  here, 

*  I  sit  and  suffer  woes  ;  and  long  ago 

*  I  to  some  other  proud  king  would  have  fled, 
1  (For  this  is  past  endurance)  but  I  think 

1  Of  him  unhappy,  should  he  come  and  make 

I  Dispersion  of  the  suitors  in  the  house.'  225 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said : 
'  Since  neither  to  a  base  nor  foolish  man, 

*  Herdsman  !  thou  seemest  like,  and  I  myself 

*  Well  know  that  prudence  reaches  to  thy  mind, 

I I  tell  thee,  and  besides  a  mighty  oath 

1  Will  swear ;  of  Gods  let  Jove  be  witness  first,         280 

1  The  hospitable  table  and  the  hearth 

1  Of  famed  Ulysses  unto  which  I  come ! 

'  While  thou  art  here  Ulysses  shall  come  home, 

'  And,  if  thou  wilt,  with  thine  eyes  thou  shalt  see 

*  The  suitors  slaughtered  who  are  masters  here.' 

To  him  the  herdsman  of  the  oxen  said  :  235 

1  May,  stranger  !  Saturn's  son  this  word  perform  ! 


140  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX. 

*  What  strength  and  hands  attend  me  thou  shouldst 

know.' 

Eumoeus  so  made  pray'r  to  all  the  Gods, 
That  to  his  house  Ulysses  might  return. 
Such  words  they  thus  to  one  another  spoke  :  240 

The  suitors  then  were  for  Telemachus 
Preparing  death  and  fate  ;  but  on  their  left 
A  bird,  a  lofty-soaring  eagle,  came, 
And  in  his  talons  held  a  timid  dove. 
Amphinomus  harangued  them  thus  and  said  : 
'  My  friends  !  the  slaughter  of  Telemachus,  245 

'  Our  plan,  will  fail,  but  let  us  mind  the  feast.' 

So  spake  Amphinomus  :  his  words  pleased  well ; 
And,  going  to  divine  Ulysses'  house, 
They  laid  their  cloaks  upon  the  seats  and  thrones, 
And  sacrificed  large  sheep  and  fatted  goats,  250 

Swine,  and  from  out  the  herd  a  cow  they  slew ; 
Roasted  and  shared  the  entrails,  and  mixed  wine 
In  bowls  ;  the  swineherd  served  it  out  in  cups. 
Philoetius,  the  chief  of  men,  shared  bread 
In  basket  fair ;  Melantheus  poured  out  wine  ;  255 

And  on  the  feast  prepared  their  hands  they  threw. 
Telemachus,  reflecting  what  was  best, 
Within  the  well-built  house  Ulysses  placed 
By  the  stone  threshold  ;  put  a  lowly  seat, 
And  a  small  table  ;  of  the  entrails  laid 
A  portion  by  him  ;  in  a  golden  cup 
Poured  wine,  and  thus  a  speech  to  him  addressed :  260 

*  Sit  here  now,  drinking  wine  among  the  men  : 
1 1  will  myself  ward  off  from  thee  the  scoffs 

'  And  hands  of  all  the  suitors ;  for  this  house 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XX.  141 

*  Not  public  is  but  of  Ulysses  ;  he 

1  For  me  acquired  it  and,  ye  suitors  !  keep  265 

1  Your  minds  from  chiding  and  from  violence, 

*  That  no  strife  and  contention  may  arise.' 

He  spake  :  they  all,  with  teeth  fixed  in  their  lips,  v 
Admired  what  boldly  said  Telemachus. 
Then  said  Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son  :  270 

*  Stern  though  it  be,  let  us,  ye  Greeks !  submit 

*  To  this  speech  of  Telemachus  ;  he  speaks 
1  To  us  with  threats  ;  Jove,  Saturn's  son, 

*  Has  not  allowed  it,  or  we  should  ere  this 

*  Have  checked  him,  though  sharp  orator  he  be.' 

So  spake  Antinous  :  he  heeded  not  275 

His  words.     The  heralds  through  the  city  then 
Were  bringing  the  Gods'  sacred  hecatomb : 
The  long-haired  Grecians  in  assembly  met 
Beneath  far-darting  Phoebus'  shady  grove. 
When  they  the  flesh  had  eaten  and  drawn  off, 
Dividing  shares  they  ate  the  noble  feast.  280 

Those  who  were  serving  by  Ulysses  placed 
A  share  as  great  as  they  themselves  obtained  \ 
So  bade  Ulysses'  son  Telemachus. 
Minerva  from  their  grievous  insolence 
Did  not  permit  the  suitors  to  refrain,  285 

That  rage  might  more  come  on  Ulysses'  mind. 
Among  the  suitors  was  a  man  well  skilled 
In  lawless  deeds ;  Ctesippus  was  his  name ; 
He  dwelt  in  Samos ;  trusting  in  his  wealth 
Immense,  the  wife  he  of  Ulysses  wooed,  290 

Long  absent  \  he  the  suitors  thus  addressed  : 

*  Hear  me,  ye  noble  suitors  !  while  I  speak  : 


142  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XX. 

1  The  stranger  long  has  had  an  equal  share, 

'As  it  is  fit ;  for  'tis  not  fair  nor  just 

'  To  wrong  whoever  to  this  house  may  come,  295 

'  Guests  of  Telemachus :  I  too  will  give 

'  Some  hospitality,  that  so  he  may 

'  Himself  a  gift  make  to  the  bathing-man, 

6  Or  other  servant  in  Ulysses'  house.' 

He  spake,  and  with  his  strong  hand  seizing  threw 
An  ox-foot,  lying  in  a  basket  near :  300 

Ulysses  slightly  moved  his  head  aside 
And  shunned  it,  but  with  a  sardonic  smile 
Laughed  inwardly  j  it  struck  the  well-built  wall : 
Telemachus  rebuked  Ctesippus  thus  : 
1  Ctesippus  !  better  surely  was  thy  thought ; 
'  Thou  didst  not  hit  the  stranger,  for  he  shunned    305 
1  The  blow  ;  but  I  would  otherwise  have  struck 
'  Thee  in  the  middle  with  a  pointed  spear : 
'  Instead  of  marriage  then  thy  father  would 
'  Have  been  employed  about  thy  burial. 
1  Let  none  then  in  the  house  to  me  display 

I  Unseemly  deeds ;  for  now  I  feel  and  know 

*  The  difference,  the  evil  and  the  good  :  310 

I I  was  a  child  before.    We  have  endured 

i  To  see  our  sheep  slain  and  our  wine  and  bread 
'  Consumed ;  for  one  man  scarce  can  many  check  : 
4  But  no  more  in  your  malice  evil  do. 

*  If  ye  now  wish  to  kill  me  with  the  sword,  315 
f  I  wish  it  too  ;  for  'twould  be  better  far 

1  To  die  than  always  see  these  wicked  deeds ; 
'  Strangers  insulted,  men  indecently 

*  Dragging  the  female  servants  through  the  house.' 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XX.  143 

He  spake  :  they  all  in  silence  sate  ;  at  last  320 

Thus  Agelaus  spoke,  Damastor's  son  : 

*  My  friends  !  none  would  with  contradicting  words 

*  Find  fault  with  that  which  has  been  justly  said. 
1  Neither  the  stranger  any  more  insult, 

I  Nor  any  servant  in  Ulysses'  house.  325 

I I  would  a  mild  word  to  Telemachus 

'  And  to  his  mother  say,  if  both  their  hearts 

'  It  pleased  :  as  long  as  in  your  breasts  your  mind 

*  Hoped  that  the  wise  Ulysses  would  come  home, 

'  So  long  there  was  no  blame  that  you  should  wait  330 

*  And  check  the  suitors ;  for  'twere  better  so 
6  That  to  his  house  Ulysses  should  return. 

'  This  now  is  clear  :  he  will  return  no  more. 

*  Come  then,  and  sitting  by  thy  mother  bid 

*  That  she  should  marry  whosoe'er  is  best, 

'  And  gives  most  presents ;  and  that  thou  with  joy  335 
1  Eating  and  drinking  should  thy  father's  goods 
'  Control,  and  she  another's  house  direct.' 
The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 
*I  swear  by  Jove  and  by  my  father's  woes, 
'  Who,  Agelaus  !  far  from  Ithaca 

*  Has  either  died  or  been  a  wanderer,  340 

*  My  mother's  marriage  I  do  not  obstruct, 

*  But  bid  her  wed  whome'er  she  will,  and  I 

*  Great  gifts  upon  her  will  besides  bestow  : 

'  But  from  the  house  to  thrust  her  with  harsh  words 
'Against  her  will  I  shame  ;  this  God  forbid  !' 

Thus  spake  Telemachus  :  Minerva  then  345 

Laughter  unquenched  among  the  suitors  roused, 
And  set  their  thoughts  a-wand'ring ;  but  they  laughed 


144  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XX. 

With  cheeks  that  seemed  as  those  of  other  men ; 
The  flesh  still  wet  with  blood  they  ate  :  their  eyes 
Were  filled  with  tears,  their  minds  foreboded  woe. 
Them  godlike  Theoclymenus  addressed  :  350 

'  0  wretched  men  !  what  evils  suffer  ye  ? 
1  Your  heads,  your  faces,  and  your  knees  beneath 

*  Are  wrapped  in  night ;  your  sobs  are  bursting  forth  ; 
1  Your  cheeks  are  wet  with  tears  ;  the  beauteous  walls 

*  And  columns  fair  are  dropping  down  with  blood ; 

V  '  Full  is  the  porch  and  full  the  hall  with  ghosts        355 
6  Hasting  in  gloom  to  Erebus  ;  the  sun 
'Falls  from  the  sky  ;  foul  darkness  creeps  around.' 

He  spake ;  they  all  laughed  mirthfully  ;  then  said 
Eurymachus,  the  son  of  Polybus  : 
'  The  guest  just  come  from  other  lands  is  mad  :       36O 
1  Quick  !  drive  him  to  the  forum  out  of  doors, 

*  Ye  youths  !  things  here  he  likens  to  the  night.' 

To  him  thus  Theoclymenus  replied : 
'  Eurymachus  !  no  guides  I  ask  of  thee, 
*s  '  For  I  have  eyes  and  ears  and  both  my  feet,  365 

'  And  in  my  breast  no  unbecoming  mind  : 
'  With  these  then  I  will  from  the  doors  depart, 

*  For  evil  coming  on  you  I  descry, 

'  Which  none  of  all  you  suitors  shall  escape 
'  Nor  shun,  who  in  divine  Ulysses'  house, 
'  Insulting  men,  atrocious  deeds  contrive.'  370 

He  spake,  and  from  the  well-built  house  went  forth, 
And  to  Piraeus  came  who  welcomed  him. 
The  suitors,  looking  at  each  other,  chafed 
Telemachus  by  laughing  at  the  guests  5 
And  thus  said  some  one  of  the  haughty  youths  :      375 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXI.  145 

1  Telemachus  !  none  more  unfortunate 

'  In  guests  than  thou  ;  a  begging  vagabond 

*  Thou  hast,  one  craving  bread  and  wine,  unskilled 
'  In  work  and  strength,  a  cumb'rer  of  the  ground  ; 

*  Another  too  gets  up  to  prophesy.  380 
1  If  thou  wouldst  trust  me  this  would  better  be  ; 
'  Let  us  the  strangers  in  a  well -benched  ship 

*  Embark  and  send  to  the  Sicilians, 

*  Whence  one  a  fair  price  would  for  them  receive.' 

The  suitors  spake  :  he  heeded  not  their  words, 
But  silent  eyed  his  father,  waiting  still  385 

Till  he  the  shameless  suitors  should  attack. 
The  wise  Penelope,  Icarius'  child, 
Placing  a  beauteous  seat  in  front,  had  heard 
The  wTords  that  each  man  in  the  palace  spake. 
With  laughter  they  prepared  a  pleasant  feast  390 

And  gratifying,  for  they  much  had  slain ; 
But  no  feast  could  less  gratifying  be 
Than  what  the  Goddess  and  the  valiant  man 
Would  make  for  them  who  first  foul  deeds  contrive1      "*^ 


jtt 


BOOK      XX 


ir 


r 


Minerva,  blue-eyed  Goddess,  gave  the  thought 
To  wise  Penelope,  Icarius'  child, 
To  place  the  bow  and  grey-hued  steel  before 
The  suitors  in  Ulysses'  house,  to  be 
A  contest  and  the  origin  of  death. 

\ 


146  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI. 

She  climbed  the  lofty  staircase  of  her  house,  5 

\  And  in  her  plump  hand  took  a  well-bent  key, 
Fair,  brazen,  with  a  shaft  of  ivory. 
To  the  remotest  chamber  wTith  her  maids 
She  hasted ;  there  the  treasures  of  the  king, 
Brass,  gold,  and  much-wrought  steel,  w^ere  stored  away. 
The  bow  unstrung,  the  quiver  to  receive  10 

The  arrows,  lay  there  :  many  grievous  shafts 
Were  in  it,  presents  which  a  stranger  gave, 
Who  had  in  Sparta  met  him,  Iphitus, 
The  son  of  Eurytus,  one  like  the  Gods. 
They  in  Messene  with  each  other  met,  15 

Within  the  house  of  brave  Orsilochus. 
Ulysses  came  to  claim  a  debt  which  all 
The  people  owed ;  for  the  Messenians 
From  Ithaca  had  ta'en  three  hundred  sheep, 
And  shepherds  with  them,  in  their  well-benched  ships. 
For  them  Ulysses,  though  a  boy  he  was,  20 

On  public  service  a  long  journey  went : 
His  father  sent  him  and  the  senators. 
But  Iphitus  to  seek  his  horses  went, 
Which  had  been  lost,  twelve  mares,  and  with  them  were 
Laborious  mules  ;  these  were  his  death  and  fate. 
When  to  the  valiant  son  of  Jove  he  came,  25 

The  hero  Hercules  in  great  deeds  skilled, 
He  in  his  own  house  slew  him,  though  his  guest  ; 
Hard  man !  who  nor  the  vengeance  of  the  Gods 
-Respected,  nor  the  table  which  he  spread, 
But  slew  him  afterwards,  and  kept  himself 
The  solid-footed  horses  in  the  house.  30 

He  met  Ulysses  when  in  search  of  these, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI.  147 

And  a  bow  gave  him  which  great  Eurytus 

Had  borne  of  yore,  who  in  his  lofty  house 

Had,  when  he  died,  bequeathed  it  to  his  son. 

To  him  Ulysses  gave  a  sword  and  spear, 

Beginning  of  kind  hospitality  :  35 

But  no  acquaintance  at  each  other's  board 

Had  they,  for  Jove's  son  first  slew  Iphitus, 

The  son  of  Eurytus,  one  like  the  Gods  : 

He  gave  the  bow  ;  Ulysses  took  it  not 

When  in  the  black  ships  to  the  war  he  went ; 

Of  his  dear  friend  memorial  it  lay  40 

At  home ;  he  bore  it  in  his  own  domain. 

When  she,  divine  one,  to  the  chamber  came       ^^ 

And  reached  the  oaken  threshold  (which  bj^foT^-H 


A  carpenter  had  polished  skilfully, 

And  with  a  plumb-line  straightened,  pilars  fixed 

Thereon,  and  pat  upon  it  shining  doors,)  45 

The  thong  she  quickly  from  the  ring  unloosed, 

Put  in  the  key,  and  lifted  up  the  bolts 

Pushing  in  front  \  they  sounded  as  a  bull 

At  pasture  ;  so  resounded  the  fair  doors 

Struck  by  the  key,  and  quick  they  open  flew.  .  50 

Upon  the  lofty  floor  she  went,  where  stood 

The  chest  in  which  the  fragrant  garments  lay  : 

Reaching,  she  took  the  bow  from  off  the  peg, 

With  the  bright  bow-case  which  encircled  it, 

And  sitting  there  she  placed  it  on  her  knees,  55 

And  loudly  wailing  took  the  king's  bow  out. 

When  she  in  tearful  sorrow  had  indulged, 

To  the  proud  suitors  in  the  house  she  went, 

In  her  hand  carrying  the  bow  unstrung, 


148  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI. 

And  quiver  where  were  many  grievous  shafts.  60 

With  her  the  hand-maids  brought  a  chest  where  lay 

Iron  and  brass,  the  prizes  of  the  king. 

When  she,  divine  one,  to  the  suitors  came, 

She,  by  a  column  of  the  well-wrought  roof, 

Stood  with  a  shining  kerchief  o'er  her  cheeks  :  65 

[On  either  side  a  chaste  hand-maiden  stood] 

And  to  the  suitors  thus  a  speech  addressed  : 

'  Hear,  noble  suitors  !  who  distress  this  house, 

'  And  always  eat  and  drink  unceasingly 

*  The  substance  of  my  husband,  absent  long,  70 

*  Nor  other  pretext  have  for  your  cabal 

1  Except  to  marry  and  make  me  your  wife. 

*  Come,  suitors  !  since  this  contest  is  proposed  ; 
'  For  I  will  place  divine  Ulysses'  bow  : 

'  Whoe'er  most  easily  the  bow  shall  stretch,  75 

'  And  through  twelve  axes  shall  an  arrow  shoot, 
'  Him  I  will  follow,  and  will  quit  the  house, 
'  Fair,  rich,  to  which  I  when  a  virgin  came, 
1  And  shall  remember  though  but  in  a  dream.' 

She  spake,  and  to  Eumseus  gave  command,  80 

Swineherd  divine,  to  place  the  bow  and  steel 
Before  the  suitors  :  these  Eumseus  took, 
And  weeping  laid  them  down  ;  the  herdsman  too 
Wept  when  he  sawT  his  royal  master's  bow. 
Antinous  rebuked  them  and  addressed  : 
1  Ye  foolish  country-men  !  ye  wretched  pair !  85 

1  Who  think  on  things  which  are  but  of  the  day  ; 
'  Why  weep  ye,  and  excite  a  woman's  mind 

*  Within  her  breast,  to  whom  it  otherwise 

'  Is  sad,  for  she  has  lost  her  husband  dear  ? 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI.  149 

1  Sit  and  in  silence  feast,  or  out  of  doors 

1  Go  weep  ye,  and  the  bow  and  arrows  here,  90 

*  A  harmless  contest  for  the  suitors,  leave. 

*  The  polished  bow  they  will  not,  as  I  think, 
1  Stretch  easily,  for  not  a  man  there  is 

*  Among  them  all  such  as  Ulysses  was  ; 

'  I,  when  a  child,  saw  and  remember  him.'  95 

He  spake,  but  in  his  breast  he  hoped  to  stretch 
The  string,  and  send  an  arrow  through  the  steel : 
But  he  was  doomed  to  be  the  first  to  taste 
The  arrow  from  the  brave  Ulysses'  hands, 
Whom  he  himself  had,  sitting  in  the  house, 
Dishonoured,  and  encouraged  all  his  friends.  ioo 

Then  spoke  the  sacred  prince  Telemachus  : 
'  Woe 's  me  !  full  surely  Jove,  of  Saturn  son, 
'  Has  made  me  foolish  :  my  dear  mother  says, 
'  Wise  as  she  is,  that  she  some  other  man 
1  Will  follow  and  desert  this  house,  while  I 
'  Laugh,  and  with  foolish  mind  enjoy  myself.  105 

1  Come,  suitors  !  since  this  contest  is  proposed, 
1  Not  such  a  woman  in  the  Grecian  land 
1  In  Pylos,  Argos,  or  Mycene"  is, 

*  [In  Ithaca  or  in  Epirus  dark] 

'  That  well  ye  know  :  my  mother  need  I  praise  1      no 

1  But  come,  with  no  pretence  retreat,  nor  put 

1  The  stretching  of  the  bow  long  time  aside, 

1  That  we  may  see  :  I  too  would  try  the  bow, 

'  If  I  could  stretch  it,  and  shoot  through  the  steel. 

'  My  honoured  mother  should  not,  to  my  grief,  115 

'  Leave  with  another  man  this  house,  while  I 

1  Am  left  behind,  now  able  as  I  am 


150  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI. 

'  To  gain  the  beauteous  prizes  of  my  sire.' 

He  spake,  and  rising  from  his  shoulders  threw 
His  purple  cloak,  and  laid  his  sword  aside. 
First  he  arranged  and  straightened  with  a  rule         120 
The  axes,  digging  one  long  trench  for  all, 
And  stamped  the  earth  in  round ;  astonishment 
Seized  all,  when  they  beheld  how  orderly 
He  placed  them,  though  he  had  not  seen  before. 
He  on  the  threshold  stood,  and  tried  the  bow ; 
Eager  to  draw,  he  strained  it  thrice,  and  thrice        125 
Tielaxed  his  force,  though  hoping  in  his  mind 
To  stretch  the  bow  and  through  the  steel  rings  shoot : 
And  at  the  fourth  attempt  he  would  have  stretched 
And  drawn  it,  but  Ulysses  by  a  sign 
Deterred  and  checked  him  in  his  eagerness. 
Then  spake  Telemachus  of  sacred  strength  :  130 

1  Alas  !  hereafter  I  shall  either  be 
'  Mean  and  without  strength,  or  I  am  too  young 
'  Nor  trust  yet  in  my  hands  to  drive  away 
1  A  man  when  any  one  provokes  me  first. 
'  Ye  who  in  strength  excel  me  !  come  and  try 
'  The  bow  j  the  contest  let  us  terminate.'  135 

He  spake,  and  from  him  put  upon  the  ground, 
Against  the  close-joined  polished  doors,  the  bow, 
And  the  swift  weapon  on  its  fair  tip  reared, 
And  sate  upon  the  throne  from  whence  he  rose. 
Then  spake  Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  140 

1  Kise  up,  my  friends  !  in  order  from  the  right, 
1  Beginning  from  the  place  where  one  pours  wine.' 

So  spake  Antinous  :  his  word  pleased  all ; 
And  first  Leiodes,  Onops'  son,  arose, 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXI.  151 

Who  was  their  soothsayer  and  always  sate  145 

The  most  remote  beside  the  beauteous  bowl : 

Hateful  to  him  alone  was  violence, 

And  he  with  all  the  suitors  was  enraged. 

He  first  then  took  the  bow  and  arrow  swift, 

Upon  the  threshold  stood,  and  tried  the  bow, 

Nor  stretched  it,  for  his  unworn,  tender  hands  150 

He  wearied  first ;  and  to  the  suitors  said : 

*  I  stretch  it  not,  but  let  another  try. 

*  My  friends  !  this  bow  will  many  chieftains  strip 
'  Of  mind  and  soul ;  'tis  better  they  should  die 

*  Than  live  and  lose  the  prize  for  which  we  all  155 

*  Are  here  assembled,  waiting  all  our  days. 

*  Each  one  indeed  now  hopes  and  meditates 
'  To  wed  Penelope,  Ulysses'  wife ; 

'  But  when  he  shall  have  seen  and  tried  the  bow 

*  Some  other  of  the  well-robed  Grecian  dames  160 
'  Let  him  then  woo  and  court  with  gifts ;  let  her 

*  Marry  who  gives  her  most  and  comes  by  fate.' 

He  spake,  and  from  him  put  upon  the  ground 
The  bow,  against  the  close-joined  polished  doors, 
And  the  swift  weapon  on  its  fair  tip  reared,  1G5 

And  sate  upon  the  throne  from  whence  he  rose. 

Antinous  rebuked  him  thus,  and  said  : 

*  What  word,  Leiodes  !  has  escaped  thy  lips, 

*  Dreadful  and  sad  (I  hear,  and  am  enraged) 

'  That  this  bow  surely  shall  deprive  the  chiefs  170 

1  Of  mind  and  soul,  because  thou  canst  not  shoot  1 
'  Thy  venerable  mother  bore  thee  not 
6  With  bow  and  arrows  to  an  archer  be ; 

*  But  other  suitors  soon  will  stretch  the  bow.' 


152  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXI. 

He  spake,  and  ordered  thus  Melanthius,  175 

The  goat-herd  :  *  Go,  Melanthius  !  and  light 
'  A  fire  ;  a  great  seat  place,  and  skins  thereon  ; 
'  Bring  a  large  ball  of  tallow  from  within, 
1  That  we  young  men  may  warm  it,  and  the  bow 
'  Besmearing  try  it,  and  the  contest  end.'  iso 

He  spake :  Melanthius  with  speed  the  fire 
Lighted,  and  placed  a  seat  and  skins  thereon ; 
Brought  a  large  ball  of  tallow  from  within, 
With  which  the  young  men  warmed  and  tried  the  bow, 
But  could  not  stretch  it ;  much  they  wanted  strength. 
Antinous  still  and  Eurymachus  185 

Divine  persisted,  of  the  suitors  chief, 
And  they  in  vigour  were  by  far  the  best. 
Forth  from  the  house  the  two  in  company, 
Herdsman  and  swineherd  of  Ulysses,  went, 
And  after  them  Ulysses  went  himself.  190 

When  they  were  now  outside  the  courts  and  hall, 
With  honeyed  words  addressing  them  he  said  : 
'  Herdsman  !  and  swineherd  !  shall  I  hide  or  tell 
'  Some  news  ?  my  mind  induces  me  to  speak  : 
1  Would  ye  be  men  to  give  Ulysses  aid,  195 

'  If  he  from  somewhere  on  a  sudden  came, 
'  And  some  God  brought  him  hither?  whom  would  ye 
'  Assist  1  the  suitors  or  Ulysses  1  speak, 
1  According  as  your  heart  and  mind  command.' 

To  him  the  herdsman  of  the  kine  replied  : 
1  0  father  Jove  !  mayst  thou  my  wish  perform,        2C0 
'  That  he  may  come,  and  him  the  God  conduct ! 
'  What  hands  and  strength  attend  me  thou  shouldst 
know.' 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXI.  153 

Eumeeus  so  made  pray'r  to  all  the  Gods, 
That  to  his  house  Ulysses  might  return. 
When  the  true  feeling  of  the  men  he  knew,  205 

He  with  these  words  replying  to  them  said  : 
1  Here  then  am  I  myself  within  the  house  : 

*  After  much  labour  in  the  twentieth  year 

*  To  my  paternal  country  I  am  come. 

*  I  know  that  I  come  welcome  to  you  both 

*  Alone  of  all  the  servants  ;  of  the  rest  210 
1  Not  one  I  heard  who  prayed  for  my  return. 

6  To  you  what  shall  be  I  will  truly  tell : 
1  If  the  proud  suitors  God  to  me  subdue, 

*  I  will  bring  wives  for  both  of  you,  and  wealth 

*  Bestow,  and  well-built  houses  near  my  own ;  215 
'  Thenceforward  ye  of  my  Telemachus 

*  Shall  the  companions  and  the  brothers  be. 

*  But  come,  and  I  will  other  plain  proof  sshew, 

1  That  ye  may  know  me  well  and  be  convinced, 

'  The  wound  which  once  with  his  white  tusk  a  boar 

'  Inflicted  when  I  to  Parnassus  went 

*  A-hunting,  with  Autolycus's  sons.'  220 

He  spake,  and  from  the  great  scar  drew  the  rags : 
They,  when  they  saw  and  all  well  understood, 
Wept  and  round  wise  Ulysses  threw  their  hands,  ' 
And  kissed  his  head  and  shoulders  lovingly  \ 
And  so  Ulysses  kissed  their  heads  and  hands.  225 

And  while  they  wept  the  sun's  light  would  have  set,  ^ 
Had  not  Ulysses  checked  them  and  addressed  : 
'  Cease  from  your  tears  and  groans,  lest  from  the  house 
'  One  come  and  see  and  tell  of  it  within. 
'  Go  in  successively,  not  all  at  once,  230 


154  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXI. 

'  I  first,  ye  next.     Let  this  a  signal  be ; 

*  The  rest,  all  those  who  noble  suitors  are, 

*  The  bow  and  quiver  will  deny  to  me  ; 

'  But  thou,  divine  Eumseus  !  bring  the  bow 

1  Across  the  house,  and  place  it  in  my  hands, 

'  And  bid  the  women  lock  their  chamber-doors,         235 

'  And,  if  one  hear  a  groan  or  noise  of  men 

'  Within  our  courts,  not  from  the  door  to  stir, 

'  But  there  in  silence  at  their  work  remain. 

'  To  thee,  divine  Philcetius  !  I  give  240 

'  The  court-yard  gates  in  charge,  that  with  a  key 

1  Thou  lock  and  quickly  put  a  chain  thereon.' 

He  spoke  and  went  the  well-built  house  within, 
And  sate  upon  the  seat  from  whence  he  rose : 
In  the  two  servants  of  Ulysses  went. 
Eurymachus  was  handling  now  the  bow,  245 

Warming  it  here  and  there  before  the  flame, 
Yet    could    not    stretch,    and    much   his    heart    was 

grieved. 
Then  sore  distressed  he  spoke  this  word,  and  said : 
'  Alas  !  there  sorrow  is  for  me  and  all : 
'  It  is  not  for  the  marriage  that  I  grieve  250 

'  So  much,  however  vexed  I  be ;  there  are 
'  Many  more  Grecian  women,  those  who  dwell 
'  In  sea-girt  Ithaca  and  other  towns ; 
'  But  that  we  are  in  strength  inferior 

*  To  the  divine  Ulysses,  nor  can  stretch 

'  The  bow  ;  a  shame  for  future  men  to  hear.'  255 

Antinous,  Eupeithes'  son,  replied  : 
'  Eurymachus!  not  so  :  thou  know'st  thyself ; 
'  A  holy  feast  in  honour  of  the  God 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI.  155 

1  Is  kept  in  public  :  who  can  stretch  the  bow  ? 

*  Put  it  down  quietly  ;  let  us  permit 

*  The  axes  too  to  stand,  for  none,  I  think,  260 
'  Will  move  them,  entering  Ulysses'  house. 

■  But  come,  let  him  who  pours  the  wine  with  cups 

*  Make  offerings,  that  we,  when  we  have  made 

*  Libation,  may  the  crooked  bow  lay  down ; 

*  And  bid  at  early  dawn  Melanthius,  265 

*  The  keeper  of  the  goats,  to  bring  the  best 

*  Of  all  the  flocks,  that,  offering  the  thighs 

■  To  Phoebus,  famed  for  archery,  we  may 

1  Make  trial  of  the  bow  and  end  the  strife.' 

Thus  spake  Antinous  :  his  words  pleased  well. 
Upon  their  hands  the  heralds  water  poured ;  2"0 

The  young  men  crowned  the  bowls  with  wine ;  with 

cups 
Made  off'rings  and  distributed  to  all. 
When  they  had  made  libation  and  had  drunk 
All  that  their  mind  desired,  a  stratagem 
The  wise  Ulysses  planning  for  them  said  : 
'  Hear  me,  ye  suitors  of  the  noble  queen  !  275 

*  [While  what  my  mind  commands  me  I  shall  say.] 

*  I  pray  Eurymachus  especially, 

1  And  the  divine  Antinous,  for  he 

*  Has  rightly  spoken,  to  lay  down  the  bow 

'  And  leave  it  to  the  Gods  ;  and  in  the  morn  280 

*  God  will  give  victory  to  whom  he  wills. 

'  But  come,  give  me  the  polished  bow,  that  I 
'  Among  you  may  my  hands  and  prowess  prove, 

*  If  any  strength  is  in  me  such  as  once 

'  Was  in  my  supple  limbs,  or  whether  now 


156  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI. 

'  Travel  and  want  of  care  have  ruined  it.' 

He  spake  :  they  all  were  haughtily  enraged,         285 
Fearing  lest  he  should  stretch  the  polished  bow. 
Antinous  thus  chiding  him  replied  : 
1  0  wretched  stranger  !  small  indeed  thy  sense  ; 
'  Art  not  content  to  feast  in  peace  with  us 
'  Great  men,  and  nothing  of  the  banquet  miss,         290 
'  And  all  our  converse  hear  ?  no  other  one, 
1  Stranger  and  beggar,  listens  to  our  words. 
'  Sweet  wine  affects  thee,  which  hurts  other  men, 
'  When  greedily  not  properly  one  drinks. 
1  Wine  roused  the  Centaur,  famed  Eurytion,  295 

'  When  to  the  Lapithse  he  came,  the  house 
1  Of  brave  Pirithous  ;  he,  when  his  mind 
'  He  roused  with  wine  and  maddened,  did  foul  deeds 
'  Within  the  palace  of  Pirithous  : 
1  But  indignation  on  the  hero  seized ; 
'  They  rushed  and  dragged  him  through  the  vestibule 
1  Out  of  the  doors ;  his  ears  and  nose  cut  off  300 

'  With  brass  unpitying :  with  grieving  mind, 
1  Bearing  his  woe,  he  went  in  agony  : 
\  Thence  between  men  and  Centaurs  strife  was  caused, 
'  And  he  his  own  woe  found  by  drunkenness. 

*  So  great  destruction  I  announce  to  thee  305 

*  If  thou  shouldst  stretch  the  bow,  for  no  defence 
1  Thou  in  our  land  wilt  meet  with;  we  will  send 
'  Thee  in  a  black  ship  to  king  Echetus, 

'  Of  all  men  the  tormentor,  and  from  thence 

*  Thou'lt  not  escape.     But  sit  and  drink  in  peace, 

'  Nor  with  men  younger  than  thyself  contend.'        310 
To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied : 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI.  157 

1  Antinous  !  no  honourable  thing 

*  Nor  just  it  is,  to  set  at  nought  the  guests 

*  Who  to  Telemachus's  house  may  come. 

1  Dost  thou  expect  that,  if  the  stranger  stretch, 
1  Trusting  in  hands  and  strength,  Ulysses'  bow,       315 
1  He  will  convey  me  home  and  make  his  wife  ? 
1  He  in  his  breast  has  no  such  hope  as  this : 

*  Let  none  of  you  for  this  his  mind  disturb 

*  While  feasting  here,  for  this  becomes  you  not.' 

Eurymachus,  the  son  of  Polybus,  320 

To  her  replied  :  '  0  wise  Penelope  ! 
1  Child  of  Icarius  !  we  do  not  think 

*  That  he  will  take  thee  off,  nor  is  it  fit ; 

*  But  men's  and  women's  rumour  we  regard, 

*  Lest  of  the  Greeks  some  meaner  one  should  say : 

' "  Men  far  inferior  woo  a  brave  man's  wife,  325 

1 "  But  cannot  stretch  the  polished  bow  ;  while  one, 
1  "A  wand'ring  beggar,  came  and  easily 

*  "  Has  stretched  the  bow  and  through  the  steel  rings 

shot." 

*  So  would  they  say,  and  'twere  disgrace  to  us.' 

The  wise  Penelope  to  him  replied  :  330 

'  Eurymachus  !  it  is  not  possible 
■  That  fair  fame  should  belong  to  those  who  waste 

*  Disgracefully  the  substance  of  a  prince. 

'  Why  bring  ye  these  reproaches  on  yourselves  % 
'  This  stranger,  large  in  stature  and  well-formed, 

*  Boasts  of  a  noble  sire  to  be  the  son  :  335 
1  Give  him  the  polished  bow  that  we  may  see  ; 

'  For  thus  I  tell  you,  and  it  shall  be  done ; 

*  If  he  should  stretch  it,  and  if  Phoebus  gives 


158  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI. 

1  This  glory,  I  with  tunic  and  with  cloak, 

'  Fair  garments,  will  array  him,  and  will  give 

*  A  sharp  spear  to  repel  the  dogs  and  men,  340 
'  A  two-edged  sword,  and  sandals  for  his  feet, 

'  And  send  him  where  his  heart  and  mind  desire.' 

The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 
'  Mother  !  no  Greek  has  greater  power  than  I 
'  Over  the  bow,  to  give  it  or  refuse 

*  To  whom  I  will :  not  any  who  bear  rule  345 
'  Or  in  rough  Ithaca,  or  in  the  isles 

'  Of  Elis  giving  pasture  to  the  horse ; 

*  No  one  of  them  shall  force  me  'gainst  my  will, 

*  If  to  the  stranger  I  should  choose  to  give 
'  The  bow  at  once,  to  bear  away  with  him. 

*  Enter  the  house,  and  thine  own  works  control,       350 
'  The  loom  and  distaff,  and  command  thy  maids 

*  To  work  :  the  bow  shall  be  the  care  of  men, 
'And  specially  of  me  who  rule  the  house.' 

She  wond'ring  went  again  within  the  house, 
And  pondered  in  her  mind  her  son's  wise  speech.     355 
With  maids  attendant  to  the  upper  room 
She  climbed,  and  there  her  husband  dear  bewailed, 
Till  on  her  eyes  sweet  sleep  Minerva  shed. 
The  swineherd  went  and  took  the  crooked  bow, 
While  all  the  suitors  chided  in  the  house  j  360 

And  of  the  overbearing  youths  one  said 
'  Whither,  thou  wretched  swineherd  !  vagabond  ! 

*  Bear'st  thou  the  bow  1  the  swift  dogs  thou  hast  bred 
'  To  guard  the  swine  shall  quickly  eat  thee  up 
'Apart  from  men,  if  but  propitious  be 

'  Apollo  and  th'  immortal  Gods  to  us.'  365 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXI.  159 

They  spake :  he  took  and  laid  it  in  its  place, 
Fearing  lest  many  in  the  house  should  chide. 
Telemachus  in  turn  with  threats  replied : 
'  Bring  the  bow  forward,  friend  !  thou  wilt  not  well 
'  Obey  them  all,  lest,  younger  though  I  be,  370 

1 1  drive  thee  to  the  field,  and  pelt  with  stones ; 

*  For  I  am  thy  superior  in  strength  : 

I  Would  that  to  all  the  suitors  in  the  house 

I I  were  in  strength  as  much  superior  ! 

*  Some  from  our  house  a  mournful  journey  soon 

'  I'd  send,  for  they  are  meditating  ills.'  375 

He  spake  :  the  suitors  all  laughed  pleasantly, 
And  ceased  from  wrath  against  Telemachus. 
The  swineherd  through  the  palace  brought  the  bow, 
Stood  near  and  placed  it  in  Ulysses'  hands  ; 
Called  nurse  Euryclea  apart,  and  said  :  380 

1  Prudent  Euryclea  !  Telemachus 
'  Bids  thee  to  lock  the  house's  well-made  doors ; 
1  And  if  one  hear  a  groan  or  noise  of  men 

*  Within  our  courts,  let  no  one  go  outside 

'  The  doors,  but  silent  at  their  work  remain.'  355 

He  spake  :  the  word  flew  not  unheeded  by, 
But  of  the  well-built  house  she  locked  the  doors. 
Philcetius  in  silence  out  of  doors 
Leapt  from  the  house  and  barred  the  court-yard  gates. 
There  lay  the  cable  of  a  two-banked  ship,  390 

Under  the  portico,  of  byblus  made, 
With  which  he  bound  the  portals  and  went  in, 
And  sate  upon  the  seat  from  whence  he  rose, 
Eyeing  Ulysses  :  he  took  up  the  bow, 
Turning  it  here  and  there  to  try  if  worms  395 


160  THE    0DTSSEY. BOOK   XXI. 

Had  while  the  king  was  absent  gnawed  the  horns ; 
And  thus  one  looking  to  his  neighbour  said  :  v 

*  He  's  an  admirer  of  or  skilled  in  bows  : 
'  Either  some  like  it  lie  for  him  at  home, 
'  Or  he  intends  to  make  one ;  here  and  there 
'  He  turns  it,  vagabond  in  evils  skilled  !'  400 

Again  another  of  the  proud  youths  said  : 

*  May  he  therefrom  as  much  advantage  gain 
'  As  in  his  pow'r  it  is  to  stretch  the  bow  ! '    ty" 


n 


So  spake  the  suitors :  but  Ulysses  wise 


^When  he  had  handled  and  well  viewed  the  bow, —  405 
As  when  a  man,  well  skilled  in  harp  and  song, 
On  a  new  pin  strains  easily  the  string, 
Fitting  with  well-twined  entrail  of  the  sheep, — 
So  carefully  Ulysses  stretched  the  bow, 
And  in  his  right  hand  took  and  tried  the  string      410 
Which  twanged  well,  like  a  swallow  in  its  note. 
Vexation  on  the  suitors  came  ;  of  all 
The  colour  changed :  Jove  thund'ring  shewed  a  sign. 
Patient  divine  Ulysses  then  rejoiced 
That  crafty  Saturn's  son  an  omen  sent.  415 

An  arrow  swift  he  took  which  lay  exposed 
Upon  the  table  ;  in  the  quiver  were 
The  rest  which  soon  the  Grecians  were  to  feel. 
Taking  the  bow  upon  his  arm,  he  drew 
The  string  and  nocks,  while  sitting,  from  his  chair,    420 
And  taking  aim  in  front  the  arrow  shot, 
Nor  from  the  first  ring  any  axes  missed. 
Quite  through  the  door  the  brass-tipped  arrow  passed; 
And  then  he  thus  Telemachus  addressed  : 
*  Telemachus !  the  stranger  in  thine  house 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII.  1G1 

*  Does  not  disgrace  thee  ;  neither  have  I  missed        425 
6  The  mark,  nor  laboured  long  to  stretch  the  bow. 

*  My  strength  still  firm  remains,  nor  even  can 
'  The  suitors  who  dishonour  me  find  fault. 

*  Now  is  the  time  in  day -light  for  the  Greeks 

*  A  supper  to  prepare,  and  then  rejoice 

1  In  song  and  harp,  adornments  of  the  feast.'  430 

He  spake,  and  with  his  eye-brows  made  a  sign ; 
Telemachus,  Ulysses'  dear  son,  girt 
His  sharp  sword,  laid  his  hand  upon  a  spear, 
And  near  his  father's  seat  stood  armed  with  brass. 


1/ 
BOOK     XXII. 

The  wise  Ulysses  bared  him  of  his  rags, 
And  leaping  on  the  spacious  threshold  stood ; 
The  bow  and  quiver  filled  with  arrows  held, 
Poured  the  swift  weapons  forth  upon  the  ground 
Before  his  feet,  and  to  the  suitors  said  : 

*  This  harmless  contest  is  at  last  complete  :  5 

*  Now  for  another  mark,  which  no  one  yet 

'  Has  struck,  and  I  will  see  if  I  can  strike ; 
1  And  may  Apollo  fame  on  me  bestow  ! ' 

He  spake,  and  aimed  against  Antinous  l 
A  bitter  arrow  :  he  was  just  about 
To  take  a  beauteous  golden  two-eared  cup,  10 

And  held  it  in  his  hands  to  drink  the  wine ; 
But  death  was  little  present  to  his  mind. 


162  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXII. 

Who  would  have  thought  that,  while  men  feasting  were, 

One  among  many,  brave  though  he  might  be, 

Would  plan  for  him  sad  death  and  gloomy  fate  1 

Ulysses  with  an  arrow  struck  his  throat,  15 

And  the  sharp  point  passed  through  his  tender  neck. 

Side-ways  he  rolled,  and  from  his  hand  when  struck 

The  goblet  fell ;  a  stream  of  human  gore 

Thick  through  his  nostrils  came ;  he  with  his  foot 

The  table  from  him  pushed,  and  on  the  floor 

The  viands  strewed  ;  the  bread  and  roasted  flesh       20 

Were  fouled :  the  suitors  through  the  palace  raised 

A  clamour,  when  they  saw  the  man  fall  down ; 

Rushed  from  their  seats  in  tumult  through  the  house, 

Peering  from  all  sides  on  the  well-built  walls ; 

But  there  was  nowhere  shield  or  spear  to  take.  25 

Ulysses  they  with  angry  words  reviled : 

1  Stranger  !  thou  shootest  wickedly  at  men : 

■  No  other  contests  shalt  thou  undertake  ; 

•  Sad  death  is  certain  for  thee  ;  thou  hast  slain 
'  The  best  of  all  the  youths  in  Ithaca, 

'  And  therefore  vultures  shall  devour  thee  here  !'       30 

Yet  each  one  thought  that  he  not  wilfully 
Had  slain  the  man  ;  but,  fools  !  they  did  not  see 
That  to  them  all  the  goal  of  death  drew  near. 
Ulysses  eyed  them  sternly  and  addressed : 
'  Ye  dogs  !  ye  never  thought  that  I  from  Troy  35 

'  Should  home  return,  when  ye  consumed  my  house, 
'  And  with  the  handmaids  forcibly  intrigued, 
'  And  wooed  the  wife  of  one  who  's  yet  alive, 

*  Fearing  nor  Gods  who  dwell  in  heav'n  on  high, 

'  Nor  that  from  men  revenge  would  after  come :         40 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII.  163 

'  Now  to  you  all  the  goal  of  death  draws  near.' 

He  spake,  and  pale  fear  seized  upon  them  all, 
And  each  gazed  anxious  how  to  flee  from  death. 
Eurymachus  alone  replied  and  said  : 

*  If  Ithacan  Ulysses  thou  art  come,  45 
1  Thou  speakest  right  of  what  the  Greeks  have  done  ; 

*  Many  foul  deeds  both  in  the  house  and  lands. 

*  But  here  lies  he  who  was  the  cause  of  all, 

*  Antinous,  for  he  these  deeds  began : 

'  He  not  the  marriage  cared  for  nor  desired  50 

1  So  much  as  things  which  Jove  has  not  performed, 
'  That  he  might  rule  well-peopled  Ithaca 

*  Himself,  from  ambush  having  slain  thy  son. 

'  With  justice  he  is  slain ;  but  spare  thou  now 

*  Thy  people  ;  we  hereafter  publicly  55 
'  Will  to  appease  thee  pay  what  in  thine  house 

1  Has  been  consumed  in  food  and  drink ;  will  pay 
'  A  penalty  of  twenty  oxen  each, 

*  And  brass  and  gold  until  thine  heart  is  glad  : 

'  No  blame  that  thou  hast  been  enraged  before.' 

Ulysses  sternly  eyeing  him  replied  :  60 

*  Eurymachus  !  if  ye  would  give  me  all 
'  Your  patrimony,  all  ye  now  possess, 

*  And  add  whate'er  from  elsewhere  there  may  be, 
1  Not  even  so  would  I  restrain  my  hands 

1  From  slaughter,  ere  on  all  the  suitors'  band 

*  I  took  revenge  for  all  their  violence. 

6  The  choice  before  you  lies,  to  fight  or  fly,  <$ 

1  Who  ever  can  from  death  and  fate  escape  ; 

*  Yet  none,  I  think,  destruction  will  avoid.' 

He  spake :  their  knees  and  dear  heart  were  unnerved. 


164  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIT. 

*  Eurymachus  then  spoke  the  second  time  : 
'  Friends  !  since  he  will  not  his  resistless  hands         70 
'  Restrain,  but  polished  bow  and  quiver  takes, 
1  He  from  the  threshold  will  his  arrows  shoot 
'  Till  he  slay  all ;  but  let  us  heed  the  fight : 
1  Draw  forth  your  swords  and  hold  the  tables  up 
*  Against  the  arrows  ;  on  him  let  us  all  75 

1  Closely  collected  fall :  if  we  could  but ' 
4  Repel  him  from  the  threshold  and  the  doors, 
'  We  to  the  town  would  go  j  a  clamour  soon 
'  Would  rise,  and  this  man  now  the  last  time  shoot.' 
He  spoke,  and  drew  his  two-edged  brazen  sword, 
And  leapt  against  him  with  a  dreadful  shout.  80 

Ulysses,  at  the  moment  sending  forth 
An  arrow,  near  the  nipple  struck  his  breast, 
And  fixed  the  rapid  weapon  in  his  heart. 
He  from  his  hand  let  fall  upon  the  ground 
His  sword,  and  stagg'ring  round  the  table  fell ;  85 

Upset  the  viands  and  the  double  cup, 
And  with  his  forehead  smote  in  agony 
The  ground ;  with  both  his  feet  he  struck  and  shook 
His  seat,  and  darkness  o'er  his  eyes  was  poured. 

>   Amphinomus  came  rushing  on  against 

Noble  Ulysses,  and  his  sharp  sword  drew,  90 

If  from  the  doors  he  might  perhaps  retreat. 
Telemachus  came  first,  and  from  behind 
Struck  him  between  the  shoulders  with  his  spear, 
And  drove  the  weapon  through  his  breast ;  he  fell, 
And  sounding  with  his  forehead  smote  the  ground. 
Telemachus  then  rushed  away  and  left  95 

His  long  spear  in  Amphinomus,  afraid 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XXII.  1  (>-7 

Lest,  while  his  long  spear  he  withdrew,  some  Greek 

Should  rush  and  strike  him  with  a  downward  blow. 

He  ran  and  quickly  to  his  father  came, 

And  standing  near  him  spoke  these  winged  words :    njo 

'  Father !  a  shield  and  two  spears  I  will  bring, 

'  A  brazen  helmet  fitted  to  thy  brows  ; 

'  Will  go  and  armour  put  around  myself, 

*  And  to  the  swineherd  and  the  herdsman  give 

*  More  weapons,  for  'tis  better  to  be  armed.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  :  105 

*  Run  quick,  while  I  have  arrows  for  defence, 

*  Lest  from  the  doors  they  drive  me  while  alone.' 

He  spake  :  Telemachus  his  sire  obeyed  ; 
Went  to  the  chamber  where  their  armour  lay  ; 
Four   shields,    eight    spears,  four   helmets   made  of 

brass  no 

And  rough  with  horse-hair  plumes  he  took  from  thence, 
Brought  them  and  quickly  to  his  father  came. 
He  round  his  body  first  the  brass  put  on  \ 
The  servants  donned  their  beauteous  arms  and  stood 
Around  Ulysses,  wise,  of  varied  plans.  U5 

He,  while  there  arrows  were  to  drive  them  off, 
Each  of  the  suitors  aimed  at  in  the  house 
And  struck,  and  near  each  other  they  fell  down : 
But,  when  the  arrows  failed,  the  archer-king 
Upon  a  column  of  the  well-built  house  120 

Rested  the  bow  against  the  shining  wall, 
And  round  his  shoulders  girt  a  four-fold  shield  ; 
On  his  strong  head  a  well-made  helmet  placed 
With  horse-hair  plumed,  while  nodded  terribly 
The    crest,    and   two    strong  brass-tipped  spears  he 

took.  125 


166  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII. 

There  was  a  raised  door  in  the  well-built  wall, 

And  by  the  top-floor  of  the  house  a  way 

Into  a  narrow  lane,  which  boards  enclosed  : 

Ulysses  bade  the  swineherd  standing  near 

To  watch  it,  for  it  was  the  sole  approach.  130 

But  Agelaus  thus  addressed  them  all : 

*  Friends !  could  not  some  one  to  the  raised  door  climb 
'  And  tell  the  people  I  quick  alarm  would  be, 

'  And  his  last  arrow  this  man  soon  have  shot.' 

To  him  Melanthius,  the  goatherd,  said  :  135 

1  This,  Jove-born  Agelaus  !  could  not  be, 
'  For  the  hall's  beauteous  doors  are  very  near, 
'  And  difficult  the  narrow  lane's  approach  : 
'  One  man,  if  brave  he  were,  could  check  us  all. 
'  Arms  from  the  chamber  I  will  bring  for  you  ; 
'  Within,  I  think,  and  nowhere  else  the  arms  140 

'  Ulysses  and  his  noble  son  have  placed.' 

Melanthius,  the  goatherd,  speaking  thus 
Climbed  through  a  narrow  passage  of  the  house  ; 
Twelve  spears,  as  many  shields,  as  many  casques 
Made  all  of  brass  and  rough  with  horse-hair  took ;    145 
Hasted  and  quickly  to  the  suitors  brought 
And  gave  them.     Then  Ulysses'  knees  and  heart 
Failed  when  he  saw  them  putting  armour  on, 
And  brandishing  the  long  spears  in  their  hands. 
Great  seemed  the  work  before  him ;  he  with  speed 
Spake  to  Telemachus  these  winged  words  :  150 

*  Telemachus  !  one  of  the  women  stirs 
c  The  fight  against  us,  or  Melanthius.' 

The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said : 
'  Father  !  'tis  I  who  failed  in  this,  none  else 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXII.  167 

1  Is  blameahle,  who,  when  the  chamber  door  155 

1  Which  fitted  close  I  opened,  left  it  so  : 

*  Their  sentinel  was  better  than  was  I. 

'  But  corae,  Euma3us  !  close  the  chamber  door  : 
1  Find  if  some  woman  does  this,  or  the  son 
'  Of  Dolius,  Melantheus,  as  I  guess.' 

Such  words  they  thus  to  one  another  spoke  :         160 
The  goatherd  to  the  chamber  went  again, 
Melanthius,  the  weapons  fair  to  bring. 
The  swineherd  spied  him  out,  and  quickly  thus 
Addressed  Ulysses,  who  was  standing  near : 

*  Ulysses  !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 

'  That  man  whom  we  suspected  secretly  165 

1  Is  going  to  the  chamber  j  clearly  say, 
6  If  I  should  overcome  him,  should  I  kill 

*  Or  bring  him  hither  to  thee,  that  he  may 

*  Pay  for  the  many  insults  he  has  wrought'?' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  :  170 

'  I  and  Telemachus  within  the  house 

*  Will  keep  the  suitors,  eager  though  they  be  : 
1  But  ye  two,  turning  back  his  hands  and  feet, 
1  Into  the  chamber  throw  him  ;  close  the  door 

1  Behind ;  a  noose  make  with  a  twisted  rope  ;  175 

1  Him  to  a  lofty  column  drag  therewith, 
'  And  bring  him  near  the  beams,  that  while  alive 
1  He  may  a  long  while  dreadful  woes  endure.' 

He  spake :  they  quickly  heard  him,  and  obeyed, 
And  to  the  chamber  went,  but  were  not  seen 
By  him  within  ;  he  in  its  deep  recess  j80 

Was  seeking  armour  j  on  each  side  of  him 
The  two,  remaining  near  the  columns,  stood  : 


168  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII. 

But  when  Melanthius  the  goatherd  crossed 

The  threshold,  bearing  in  one  hand  a  casque 

And  in  the  other  hand  a  buckler  broad, 

Old,  and  by  dryness  injured  ;  (it  belonged  185 

To  brave  Laertes,  which  when  young  he  bore  ; 

Now  there  it  lay  ;  the  straps  were  all  unsewn  :) 

The  two  rushed  on,  and  seizing  by  the  hair, 

Dragged  him  and  threw  him  down  upon  the  floor, 

Deeply  afflicted ;  tied  his  hands  and  feet 

Completely  writh  a  grievous  bond,  as  bade  190 

Patient  Ulysses,  of  Laertes  son. 

With  twisted  rope  they  bound  and  drew  him  up 

A  lofty  column,  till  he  neared  the  beams. 

Him  scoffing,  thou,  Eumseus  !  didst  address  : 

1  Thou  shalt  keep  watch,  Melanthius,  all  night,         195 

*  On  a  soft  couch  reclining,  as  is  fit. 

4  When  gold-throned  dawn  shall  come  from  ocean's 

streams, 
1  She  will  not  fail  to  see  thee,  when  thou  bring'st 
'  The  goats  to  feed  the  suitors  in  the  house.' 

So  he  was  left,  stretched  by  a  deadly  bond.  200 

They  donned  their  arms  and  closed  the  shining  door, 
And  to  the  valiant  wise  Ulysses  went. 
There,  breathing  courage  forth,  they  stood,  the  four 
Upon  the  threshold  j  but  within  the  house 
The  others  were  both  numerous  and  brave. 
To  them  Minerva,  child  of  Jove,  came  near,  205 

Resembling  Mentor  both  in  form  and  voice. 
Ulysses  joyed  to  see  her,  and  addressed : 
'  Mentor  !  assist  the  fight  and  thy  dear  friend 
'  Remember,  one  who  did  kind  deeds  to  thee ; 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII.  169 

'  And  thou  too  art  of  equal  age  with  me.' 

He  spake,  suspecting  'twas  Minerva's  self.  210 

The  suitors  on  their  side  a  clamour  made, 
And  Agelaus  first  rebuked  her  thus  : 

*  Mentor  !  let  not  Ulysses  by  his  words 

*  Persuade  thee  with  the  suitors  to  contend 

*  In  fight,  and  be  defender  of  himself : 

1  For  thus  I  think  our  purpose  will  be  gained ;         215 
1  When  we  have  slain  the  father  and  the  son, 
'  Thou  too  among  them  shalt  be  slain  for  what 

*  Thou  plann'st  to  do,  and  pay  it  with  thine  head. 

1  When  with  our  brass  we've  checked  your  violence, 
1  Thy  goods  whate'er  they  be,  at  home,  abroad,        220 
1  We  will  combine  with  what  Ulysses  has, 
'  Nor  will  we  suffer  in  thine  house  thy  sons 

*  To  live  ;  nor  daughters  nor  thy  prudent  wife 
1  Will  we  permit  to  dwell  in  Ithaca.' 

He  spake  :  Minerva  was  the  more  enraged, 
And  chid  Ulysses  with  these  angry  words :  225 

1  Ulysses  !  nor  thy  mind  nor  strength  is  firm, 

*  As  when  for  white-armed  high-born  Helen  thou 

*  Didst  with  the  Trojans  war  incessantly 

1  Nine  years,  and  many  slay  in  dreadful  fight, 

*  And  by  thy  counsel  wide-wayed  Troy  was  ta'en  :    230 
'  How  now,  when  at  thine  house  and  goods  arrived, 

'  Shunn'st  thou  against  the  suitors  to  be  brave  1 
1  Come,  friend  !  stand  by  me  and  my  actions  see, 

*  That  thou  mayst  know  how  benefits  repays 

1  Mentor  Alcimides  among  thy  foes.'  235 

She  spake,  nor  yet  gave  certain  victory, 
But  still  made  trial  of  the  strength  and  force 


170  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXII. 

Both  of  Ulysses  and  his  noble  son ; 

Herself  upon  the  shining  house's  roof 

Hasted  to  sit,  a  swallow  in  her  form.  240 

Then  Agelaus,  of  Damastor  son, 

The  suitors  urged  ;  so  did  Euronymus, 

Amphimedon  and  Demoptolemus, 

Polyctor's  son  Pisander,  Polybus 

The  valiant ;  of  the  suitors  far  the  best 

Of  those  who  still  survived  and  fought  for  life  ;        245 

The  bow  and  rapid  shafts  had  slain  the  rest. 

Addressing  them  thus  Agelaus  said : 

1  Friends  !  now  shall  this  man  stay  his  daring  hands  : 

'  Mentor,  who  made  vain  boasts,  is  gone  away, 

*  And  at  the  first  doors  they  are  left  alone.  pM 

*  Your  long  spears  hurl  not  at  him  all  at  once, 

*  But  come  !  ye  six  shoot  first,  if  Jove  should  grant 
1  Ulysses  to  be  struck,  and  fame  be  yours.' 

He  spake  :  they  all  as  he  commanded  hurled        255 
Their  spears ;  Minerva  made  them  all  in  vain  : 
One  struck  a  column  of  the  well-built  hall, 
One  the  close-fitting  door  ;  another's  spear, 
Ashen  and  brass-tipped,  in  the  wall  was  fixed. 
But  when  they  had  escaped  the  suitors'  spears,        2C0 
Patient  divine  Ulysses  thus  began : 

*  Now,  friends  !  I  tell  you  is  the  time  for  us 
1  Into  the  suitors'  band  to  shoot,  who  would 
1  Slay  us  besides  their  former  injuries.' 

So  spake  he,  and  they  all  with  forward  aim  265 

Hurled  their  sharp  jav'lins,  and  Ulysses  then 
Slew  Demoptolemus ;  Telemachus 
Euryades ;  the  swineherd  Elatus ; 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXII.  171 

The  herdsman  of  the  kine  Pisander  slew  : 


These  with  their  teeth  all  bit  the  spacious  floor. 

The  victors  to  the  hall's  recess  retired ;  270 

The  spears  they  hasting  from,  the  dead  men  took. 

Again  the  suitors  eager  hurled  their  spears ; 

Minerva  made  them  for  the  most  part  vain ; 

One  struck  a  column  of  the  well-built  hall, 

One  the  close-fitting  door,  another's  spear,  275 

Ashen  and  brass-tipped,  in  the  wall  was  fixed. 

Amphimedon  indeed  upon  the  hand 

Struck  slightly,  near  the  wrist,  Telemachus,' 

And  the  spear  scarred  the  surface  of  the  skin. 

Ctesippus  with  his  spear  Eumseus  grazed, 

Over  his  shield,  upon  the  shoulder-blade  ; 

But  it  flew  o'er  and  fell  upon  the  ground.  280 

The  valiant  wise  Ulysses  and  his  friends 

Into  the  suitors'  band  their  sharp  spears  hurled. 

He  struck  Eurydamas ;  Telemachus 

Amphimedon  ;  the  swineherd  Polybus  ; 

The  herdsman  of  the  kine  Ctesippus  next  285 

Struck  on  the  breast,  and  boasting  thus  addressed : 

1  0  son  of  Polytherses  !  railer  !  yield 

1  No  more  to  folly,  nor  speak  haughty  words, 

1  But  leave  them  to  the  Gods  who  stronger  are. 

*  This  hospitable  gift  requites  to  thee  290 

*  The  foot  which  thou  didst  to  Ulysses  give, 
1  Coming  a  vagrant  beggar  to  his  house.' 

So  spake  the  herdsman  :  then  Ulysses  struck 
Close  by  him  with  his  spear  Damastor's  son  ; 
Telemachus  too,  wounded  with  his  spear 
In  the  mid-groin  Leocritus,  the  son 


172  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII. 

Of  Euenor,  and  drove  the  brass  right  through  :         295 
He  headlong  with  his  forehead  struck  the  ground. 
Minerva  then  her  man-destroying  shield 
Reared  from  the  roof  on  high  j  the  suitors'  minds 
Were  terrified,  and  through  the  house  they  fled, 
Like  herded  cows  which  the  swift  gad-fly  frights      300 
Hasting  in  spring-time,  when  the  days  grow  long. 
The  others,  as  when  from  the  mountains  dash 
Vultures,  with  crooked  claws  and  beaks,  on  birds 
That  from  the  nets  fly  frightened  o'er  the  plain, 
And  pouncing  kill  them,  nor  does  strength  avail,     305 
Nor  flight,  and  in  the  prey  the  men  rejoice ; 
The  others  so  upon  the  suitors  rushed, 
And  struck  them  as  around  the  house  they  ran. 
Unseemly  groaning,  when  their  heads  were  struck, 
Arose,  and  all  the  pavement  streamed  with  blood. 
Leiodes  hasting  seized  Ulysses'  knees,  310 

And  supplicating  spoke  these  winged  words : 
'  Ulysses  !  I  embrace  thy  knees  ;  respect 

*  And  pity  me  ;  for  I  declare  that  I 

1  Nothing  licentious  either  did  or  said 

*  To  any  woman  in  the  house,  but  checked  315 
1  The  other  suitors  when  one  such  things  did ; 

i  But  they  would  not  obey  me,  to  restrain 
1  Their  hands  from  evil  deeds,  and  therefore  they 
1  Have  drawn  upon  them  an  unseemly  fate ; 
1  But  I,  their  soothsayer,  who  did  no  ill, 
1  Must  die ;  no  thanks  hereafter  for  good  deeds.' 
Him  wise  Ulysses  sternly  eyed  and  said :  320 

*  If  then  thou  boast'st  a  soothsayer  to  be 

'  Among  them,  thou  must  frequently  have  prayed 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXII.  173 

*  That  distant  far  my  sweet  return  might  be ; 

1  That  my  dear  wife  should  follow  thee  and  bear      325 

*  Thee  children:  death's  sad  sleep  thou  mayst  not  shun.' 

He  spake  and  with  his  strong  hand  seized  the  sword 
Which  Agelaus  on  the  ground  let  fall 
When  he  was  slaughtered,  and  with  this  he  struck 
The  middle  of  his  neck  j  and,  e'en  while  still 
He  spoke,  his  head  was  mingled  with  the  dust. 
But  Phemius,  the  son  of  Terpias,  330 

The  bard  who  had  upon  compulsion  sung 
Among  the  suitors,  gloomy  death  escaped ; 
He  stood,  the  sweet  harp  holding  in  his  hands, 
Close  by  the  raised  door,  and  had  two-fold  thoughts ; 
Either,  escaping  from  the  house,  to  sit 
Before  the  well-built  altar  of  great  Jove, 
Protector  of  the  house,  where  formerly  335 

Laertes  and  Ulysses  used  to  burn 
The  thighs  of  many  oxen,  or  to  haste 
And  supplicate  Ulysses  at  his  knees. 
This,  as  he  meditated,  seemed  the  best ; 
To  touch  Laertes'  son,  Ulysses'  knees. 
He  placed  his  hollow  harp  upon  the  ground,  340 

Between  the  cup  and  silver-studded  throne ; 
Hasting  he  took  Ulysses  by  the  knees, 
And  supplicating  spoke  these  wingM  words : 
1  Ulysses  !  I  embrace  thy  knees  ;  respect 

*  And  pity  me  ;  'twill  to  thyself  be  grief  345 

*  Hereafter,  shouldst  thou  kill  a  bard  who  sings 

'  To  Gods  and  men  ;  self-taught  am  I ;  the  Gods 
4  Inspired  my  soul  with  ev'ry  mode  of  song  : 

*  As  to  a  God  beside  thee  I  can  sing  j 


174  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII. 

'  Seek  not  to  slay  me  then  ;  Telemachus,  350 

*  Thy  son,  could  tell  thee  that,  against  my  will, 
'  Reluctant  I  resorted  to  thine  house, 

1  And  to  the  suitors  sang  amid  their  feasts  : 
'  Many  and  strong  they  urged  me  on  by  force.' 

He  spake  :  Telemachus,  of  sacred  strength, 
Heard  and  addressed  his  father,  standing  near  :        355 
'  Refrain,  nor  wound  him  guiltless  with  thy  sword  : 

*  The  herald  Medon  also  we  will  save, 

'  Who  in  our  house  took  care  of  me  a  child ; 

1  Unless  Philoetius  have  slain  him,  or 

'  The  swineherd ;  or  he  may  have  met  with  thee, 

'  When  thou  wert  rushing  fiercely  through  the  house. ' 

He  spake  :  and  Medon,  man  of  prudence,  heard,   360 
For  cowering  he  lay  beneath  a  throne, 
And  round  him  put  an  ox-hide  newly  skinned, 
Avoiding  gloomy  fate  :  but  swift  he  rose 
From  'neath  the  throne  and  put  the  hide  away  ; 
Then  rushing,  by  the  knees  Telemachus  365 

He  took,  and  praying  spoke  these  winged  words : 
'  Here,  friend  !  lam;  restrain  thyself,  and  bid 
'  Thy  father  that,  with  his  superior  force, 
1  With  h\s  sharp  sword  he  would  not  injure  me 
1  In  anger  at  the  suitors,  who  consumed 
1  Thy  household  goods,  and,  fools  !  dishonoured  thee.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  smiling  answered  him  :  370 

*  Take  heart ;  since  he  has  rescued  thee  and  saved, 
'  Know  in  thine  own  mind  and  to  others  tell 

'  How  that  good  deeds  are  better  far  than  bad. 

1  But  from  the  house  depart  ye,  and  sit  down  375 

1  Outside  the  doors,  within  the  court,  both  thou 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXII.  175 

1  And  the  harmonious  bard,  while  in  the  house 
'  I  will  perform  the  work  I  needs  must  do.'  J 

He  spake  :  they  two  went  from  the  palace  forth, 
And  at  the  altar  of  the  great  Jove  sate, 
Gazing  around  and  still  expecting  death.  380 

Ulysses  searched  throughout  the  house,  if  still 
Any  yet  living  might  have  crept  away, 
Avoiding  gloomy  fate ;  he  saw  them  all, 
And  there  were  many,  laid  in  blood  and  dust, 
Like  fishes  which  the  fishermen  have  drawn 
From  the  white  sea  within  a  much-meshed  net         385 
Upon  the  hollow  shore,  and  on  the  sands, 
Of  the  sea's  wave  deprived,  they  all  are  poured, 
While  the  sun  shining  takes  their  lives  away ; 
The  suitors  so  were  on  each  other  heaped. 
Ulysses  then  Telemachus  addressed  :  390 

'  Telemachus  !  go  call  Euryclea, 
1  The  nurse,  that  I  may  tell  what  I  propose.' 

He  spake  :  Telemachus  his  sire  obeyed  ; 
Striking  the  door,  he  called  Euryclea  : 
'  Rise  quick  and  hither  come,  thou  aged  dame  !         395 
*  Who  in  our  house  art  guardian  of  our  maids : 
'  My  father  calls  that  he  may  speak  to  thee.' 

He  spake  :  the  word  flew  not  unheeded  by ; 
The  doors  she  opened  of  the  well-built  house, 
Hasting  to  go  ;  Telemachus  went  first :  400 

She  found  Ulysses  'mid  the  slain,  besmeared 
With  blood  and  gore,  as  when  a  lion  comes 
Who  of  a  stall-fed  ox  has  made  a  prey, 
And  all  his  breast  and  jaws  on  either  side 
Are  bloody ;  dreadful  he  to  look  upon ;  405 


176  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII. 

So  was  Ulysses  stained  on  feet  and  hands. 

She,  when  she  saw  the  slain  and  blood  immense, 

Rushed  with  a  cry,  for  great  the  deed  she  saw. 

Ulysses  checked  her  in  her  eagerness, 

And  calling  to  her  spoke  these  winged  words  :  410 

'  Nurse  !  in  thy  mind  exult,  and  check  thyself 

1  Nor  shout  j  'tis  impious  o'er  the  slain  to  boast : 

'  Fate  from  the  Gods  and  their  own  wicked  deeds 

I  Have  slain  these  men  :  for  none  of  men  on  earth 

*  Have  they  respected,  either  bad  or  good,  415 

*  Whoever  came  to  them  ;  and  therefore  they 

'  Have  by  their  own  crimes  met  unseemly  death. 
1  Come  tell  me  of  the  women  in  the  house, 
'  Who  me  dishonour,  who  are  innocent  ? ' 

To  him  the  nurse  Eurj^clea  replied  : 
'  Well  then,  my  son  !  I  will  the  truth  relate  :  420 

''Within  the  house  are  fifty  female  slaves, 
'  Whom  I  have  taught  their  labours  to  perform, 
j  To  card  the  wool  and  do  what  service  asks : 
'  In  ways  immodest  twelve  of  them  have  walked, 
'  Not  honouring  me  nor  e'en  Penelope  :  425 

1  Telemachus  was  growing  up,  nor  him 
'  His  mother  to  control  the  maids  allowed. 
'  I'll  to  the  shining  chamber  go  to  tell 
1  Thy  wife,  to  whom  the  God  has  slumber  sent.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her,  and  said  :  430 

1  Wake  her  not  yet,  but  bid  those  maids  to  come, 
1  Who  have  committed  the  unseemly  deeds.' 

He  spoke  :  the  old  dame  went  from  out  the  house 
To  tell  the  women  and  their  coming  urge. 
He,  to  him  summoning  Telemachus, 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK    XXII.  177 

The  herdsman  and  the  swineherd,  quickly  spoke : 

*  Begin  to  carry  off  the  carcases, 

*  And  bid  the  women  aid  you  ;  afterwards 

*  With  water  and  with  sponges  perforate 

1  The  beauteous  thrones  and  tables  purify. 

1  When  ye  have  all  within  the  house  arranged,         440 

'  Lead  forth  the  servants  from  the  well-built  house, 

*  Between  the  tow'r  and  courtyard  of  the  hall, 

*  And  with  your  long  swords  slay  them,  till  of  all 
1  Ye  shall  the  lives  have  ta'en,  and  they  forget 

*  The  suitors'  love  and  their  licentious  deeds.'  445 

He  spake  :  the  women  in  a  body  came, 
Dreadfully  wailing,  pouring  down  wTarm  tears. 
They  first  bore  off  the  bodies  of  the  slain, 
And  placed  them  in  the  well-fenced  courtyard's  porch 
In  rivalry  •  Ulysses  gave  command,  450 

Urging  the  work ;  they  bore  them  off  perforce  : 
With  w7ater  and  with  sponges  perforate 
The  beauteous  thrones  and  tables  purified  : 
The  herdsman,  swineherd,  and  Telemachus, 
With  shovels  scraped  the  well-built  house's  floor :    455 
The  servants  bore  and  placed  all  out  of  doors. 
When  all  the  house  they  had  in  order  set, 
They  brought  the  servants  from  the  well-built  house, 
Between  the  tow'r  and  courtyard  of  the  hall, 
And  shut  them  in  whence  no  escape  there  was.        460 
The  wise  Telemachus  then  thus  began  : 

*  I  would  not  by  an  honourable  death 

'  Slay  those  who  poured  abuse  upon  my  head, 
'And  on  my  mother,  with  the  suitors  joined.' 

He  spake ;  and  from  a  pillar  of  the  tow'r  465 

N 


178  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXII. 

Hanging  the  cable  of  a  dark-prowed  ship 

Put  it  around  them,  stretching  it  on  high 

That  no  one  with  her  feet  might  reach  the  ground. 

As  when  the  long-winged  throstles  or  the  doves 

Strike  on  a  net,  which  in  a  bush  is  placed, 

Ent'ring  their  nest,  whom  a  sad  couch  awaits,  470 

So  they  in  order  held  their  heads ;  round  all 

Their  necks  were  nooses ;  'twas  a  wretched  death. 

They  quivered  with  their  feet,  but  not  for  long. 

They  brought  Melantheus  through  the  porch  and  hall, 

Cut  with  relentless  brass  his  nose  and  ears,  475 

Drew  forth  his  entrails  for  the  dogs  to  eat, 

And  hands  and  feet  with  angry  mind  cut  off. 

Then,  having  washed  their  hands  and  feet,  they  sought 

Ulysses  in  the  house  ;  the  work  was  done. 

Then  he  addressed  the  nurse  Euryclea  :  480 

1  Old  dame  !  bring  sulphur,  antidote  of  ills  ; 

*  Bring  fire  that  I  may  fumigate  the  house, 
'  And  hither  bid  Penelope  to  come 

*  With  her  attendant  women,  and  urge  all 

'  The  female  servants  in  the  house  to  come/ 

To  him  the  nurse  Euryclea  replied  :  485 

'  In  truth,  my  child  !  thou  this  hast  rightly  said ; 
'  But  let  me  bring  a  tunic  and  a  cloak 

*  Nor  stand  thus  in  thine  house  arrayed  in  rags 

'  On  thy  broad  shoulders  j  this  a  shame  would  be.' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said  :  490 

'  Now  let  there  first  be  in  the  house  a  fire.' 
He  spake  :  the  nurse  Euryclea  obeyed, 

And  fire  and  sulphur  brought  to  him,  wherewith 

Ulysses  fumigated  house  and  hall. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXIII.  179 

Then  through  Ulysses'  house  the  old  dame  went      495 

To  tell  the  women  and  to  bid  them  haste. 

They  came  forth  holding  in  their  hands  a  torch, 

And  gath'ring  round  Ulysses  greeted  him, 

And  lovingly  his  head  and  shoulders  kissed, 

Holding  his  hands  ;  and  on  him  sweet  desire  500 

Of  tears  and  wailing  came ;  he  knew  them  all. 


BOOK     XXIII. 


The  old  dame  to  the  chamber  joyous  came 
To  tell  the  queen  her  husband  was  within: 
Her  knees  were  strengthened  and  her  feet  moved  quick. 
Over  her  head  she  stood,  and  thus  addressed : 
'  Wake  up,  Penelope  !  dear  child  !  to  see  5 

<  With  thine  own  eyes  what  thou  hast  long  desired ; 
'  Ulysses  to  his  home  though  late  has  come, 
1  And  slain  the  suitors  who  distressed  his  house, 
1  Devoured  his  substance  and  oppressed  his  sou.' 

The  wise  Penelope  replied  and  said  :  10 

'  Dear  nurse !  the  Gods  have  made  thee  mad,  who  can 
'  Render  one  foolish  though  he  wise  may  be, 
'  And  change  to  prudence  one  of  feeble  mind ; 

*  And  they  have  hurt  thee  of  right  sense  before. 

*  Why  mock  me,  who  have  sorrows  in  my  mind,         15 

*  Speaking  beside  the  truth,  and  wake  me  up 

1  From  the  sweet  sleep  which  held  me  in  its  chain 

*  And  covered  up  my  eyelids,  such  as  I 


180  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII. 

1  Have  never  slumbered  since  Ulysses  went 

*  To  that  bad  Troy  which  never  should  be  named  1 

1  But  now  go  down  and  to  the  hall  return  :  20 

'  If  other  of  the  women  whom  I  have 
1  Had  told  me  this  and  roused  me  from  my  sleep, 
4  Back  to  the  hall  I  would  have  sent  her  off 
'  With  sad  return ;  thine  age  shall  help  thee  here.' 
To  her  the  nurse  Euryclea  replied :  25 

*  I  mock  thee  not  at  all,  dear  child  !  in  truth 
'  Ulysses,  as  1  say,  has  reached  his  home, 

*  The  stranger  whom  all  in  the  house  reviled. 

*  Telemachus  indeed  knew  long  ago 

*  That  he  was  here,  but  prudently  concealed 

'  The  knowledge  of  his  sire,  that  so  he  might  30 

'  Punish  the  violence  of  haughty  men.' 

She  spoke  :  she  leaping  from  her  couch  with  joy 
Embraced  the  aged  dame,  and  from  her  eyes 
Let  fall  a  tear,  and  spake  these  winged  words : 
'  0  but,  dear  nurse  !  do  come  and  tell  me  true  :         35 
'  If,  as  thou  say'st,  he  has  indeed  come  home, 
'  How  on  the  shameless  suitors  laid  he  hands 
'Alone,  while  they  remained  in  crowds  within?' 

To  her  the  nurse  Euryclea  replied : 
'  I  saw  not,  asked  not,  but  I  only  heard  40 

'  The  groaning  of  the  slain  ;  we  terrified 
'  Sate  in  the  well-built  chamber's  deep  recess  : 
1  The  folding  doors,  close-fitting,  kept  us  in 
'  Till  from  the  house  thy  son,  Telemachus, 
'  Called  me,  because  his  father  bade  him  call. 
'  I  found  Ulysses  standing  'mid  the  slain,  45 

1  And  they  around  him  on  the  firm -set  floor 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK>XXIII.  181 

*  On  one  another  lay ;  thou  in  thy  mind 

1  Wouldst  have  rejoiced  if  thou  hadst  but  beheld 

1  Him,  like  a  lion,  stained  with  blood  and  gore  : 

1  They  by  the  courtyard  gates  all  lie  in  heaps, 

'  But  he,  a  great  fire  kindling,  fumigates  50 

1  The  house,  and  sent  me  on  to  summon  thee. 

*  Follow  me  then  that  both  may  in  your  hearts 
1  Rejoice,  for  much  woe  ye  have  undergone. 

*  This  long  desire  is  now  at  last  fulfilled ; 

'  He  living  to  bis  hearth  himself  has  come, 

'  And  in  his  house  has  found  thee  and  his  son  j  55 

'  But  for  the  suitors  who  have  done  him  wrong, — 

*  He  in  his  house  has  been  revenged  on  all.' 

The  wise  Penelope  replied,  and  said  : 
'  Dear  nurse  !  exulting  do  not  greatly  boast ; 

*  Thou  know'st  that  he  most  welcome  would  appear  60 

*  To  all  within  the  house,  and  specially 

*  To  me  and  to  our  son  Telemachus. 

*  But  as  thou  tell'st  the  tale  it  is  not  true ; 
1  One  of  th'  immortals  has  the  suitors  slain, 

'  Hating  their  grievous  pride  and  evil  deeds  ; 

'  For  they  respected  none  of  men  on  earth,  05 

1  Nor  bad  nor  good,  whoever  to  them  came, 

1  And  therefore  for  their  crimes  have  suffered  ills  ; 

*  But  his  return  Ulysses  far  from  Greece 
1  Has  lost,  and  he  himself  is  lost  besides.' 

To  her  the  nurse  Euryclea  replied  : 
'  My  child  !  what  word  has  now  thy  lips  escaped,      70 
'  Who  say'st  thy  husband,  now  upon  the  hearth, 
'  Will  not  return  1  incredulous  thy  mind  : 

*  But  come,  another  plain  proof  I  will  tell  j 


182  THE    C£>\TS3EY. BOOK   XXIII. 

1  The  scar,  which  once  a  boar  with  white  tooth  made, 
1  Which,  while  I  bathed  him,  I  perceived,  and  wished 
'  To  tell  thee,  but  he  holding  with  his  hands  75 

'  My  mouth,  in  his  great  prudence  checked  my  speech. 
'  But  follow  !  I  will  pledge  myself;  if  I 
'  Deceive  thee,  kill  me  by  a  grievous  death.' 

The  wise  Penelope  replied  and  said  :  80 

1  Dear  nurse  !  'tis  hard  for  thee,  though  wise  thou  art, 
'  To  foil  the  counsels  of  th'  immortal  Gods. 
1  We  to  my  son  will  go,  that  so  I  may 
1  The  suitors  slain  and  who  has  slain  them  see.' 

Thus  speaking,  from  the  upper  room  she  went,      85 
And  her  heart  doubted  whether  she  should  stand 
Apart  and  questions  to  her  husband  put, 
Or  should  approach  and  kiss  his  head  and  hands. 
When  she  came  in  and  o'er  the  threshold  passed 
Fronting  Ulysses,  by  the  other  wall 
In  the  fire's  light  she  sate  ;  he  looking  down  90 

By  a  tall  column  sate,  expecting  still 
That,  when  she  saw  him  with  her  eyes,  his  wife 
Would  speak  to  him ;  she  long  sate  silently, 
And  on  her  heart  there  came  astonishment. 
One  while,  indeed,  she  eyed  him  face  to  face, 
Another  while  she  could  not  recognise  95 

One  wearing  on  his  body  garments  mean. 
Telemachus  then  chided  her  and  said : 
'  0  mother  !  cruel  mother  !  hard  in  soul ! 
'  Why  from  my  father  keep  so  far  apart, 
1  Nor  sit  beside  him  nor  interrogate  I 
'  No  other  woman  with  unyielding  mind  100 

*  Would  at  such  distance  from  her  husband  be, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII.  183 

c  Who,  having  suffered  many  sorrows,  came 
'  To  his  own  country  in  the  twentieth  year : 
'  Thy  heart  is  ever  harder  than  a  stone.' 
To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied  : 

*  My  child  !  my  mind  and  breast  are  stupefied  :        105 
4 1  can  nor  say  a  word,  nor  question  put, 

1  Nor  look  upon  his  face  :  if  truly  he 

'  Ulysses  is,  and  to  his  house  has  come, 

'  We  two  shall  know  each  other  better  still ; 

'  For  there  are  secret  signs  between  us ;  these, 

*  Concealed  from  others,  we  shall  recognise.'  no 

She  spake :  long-suffering  Ulysses  smiled 
And  to  Telemachus  spake  winged  words  : 

*  Telemachus  !  permit  thy  mother  still 

*  To  try  me ;  she  will  know  me  better  soon. 

*  Since  I  am  squalid  and  mean  garments  wear  115 
'  She  scorns  me,  nor  believes  that  I  am  he. 

1  But  let  us  counsel  how  it  best  may  be  ; 

'  For  he  who  in  a  state  one  man  has  slain, 

4  Whom  few  avengers  follow  after,  flies 

1  Leaving  his  kindred  and  his  native  land ;  120 

1  We  have  the  city's  bulwarks  slain,  who  were 

'  The  best  of  all  the  youths  in  Ithaca 

*  By  far ;  I  bid  thee  meditate  on  this.' 

The  wise  Telemachus  replied  and  said  : 
1  Dear  father  !  look  to  this  thyself ;  they  say 

*  Thy  wisdom  is  the  highest  among  men, 

*  Nor  other  mortal  could  with  thee  contend.  125 
'  I  eagerly  will  follow  thee,  nor  think 

1  That,  as  my  strength  is,  I  shall  courage  lack.' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 


184  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII. 

1  Then  I  will  tell  thee  how  it  seems  the  best : 

1  First  bathe  yourselves  and  put  your  tunics  on,      130 

'  And  bid  the  handmaids  put  on  their  attire  : 

1  Then  let  the  bard  divine  his  sweet  harp  take, 

*  And  let  him  lead  for  us  the  sportive  dance ; 

*  So  one  who  listens  from  without  will  say, 

'  "  There  is  a  wedding";  either  one  who  walks         135 

'  Along  the  road,  or  those  who  dwell  around ; 

'  That  the  wide  rumour  of  the  suitors'  death 

'  May  not  throughout  the  city  be,  before 

'  We  to  our  farm,  well  stocked  with  trees,  have  gone  ; 

'  And  we  thereafter  will  deliberate 

1  On  what  good  plan  Olympian  Jove  suggests.'  140 

So  spake  he  :  well  they  heard  him  and  obeyed  : 
They  bathed  themselves,  and  put  their  tunics  on ; 
The  women  were  attired  ;  the  bard  divine 
Took  up  the  hollow  harp,  and  in  them  roused 
Love  for  the  sweet  song  and  the  blameless  dance,    145 
And  the  large  house  resounded  to  the  feet 
Of  men  and  fair-zoned  women  as  they  danced. 
And  thus  said  one  who  listened  from  without  : 
1  Some  one  has  married  now  the  much-wooed  queen  : 
'  Weak  woman  !  she  no  courage  had  to  guard  150 

'  Her  first-wed  husband's  house  till  he  should  come.' 

So  some  one  said,  nor  knew  they  what  was  done. 
Eurynome  the  house -keeper  then  bathed 
Magnanimous  Ulysses,  and  with  oil  155 

Anointed,  put  a  vest  and  tunic  on : 
Minerva  down  his  head  much  beauty  poured, 
Greater  and  more  majestic  made  him  seem, 
And  his  crisp  hair,  like  hyacinth,  descend  : 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII.  185 

As  gold  on  silver  spreads  a  skilful  man, 
(Whom  Vulcan  and  Minerva  taught  the  art  160 

Of  varied  kind) ;  and  graceful  works  completes ; 
So  on  his  head  and  shoulders  grace  she  poured. 
Forth  from  the  bath  like  to  the  Gods  he  came, 
And  sate  upon  the  seat  from  whence  he  rose, 
Fronting  his  wife,  and  then  addressed  her  thus  :      165 

*  Lady  !  the  Gods,  who  have  Olympian  homes, 

*  Have  made  thy  heart  beyond  all  women's  hard : 

*  No  other  woman  with  unyielding  mind 

'  Would  at  such  distance  from  her  husband  be, 

c  Who,  having  suffered  many  sorrows,  came 

'  To  his  own  country  in  the  twentieth  year. 

'  But  come,  nurse !  spread  a  couch,  that  I  may  sleep   170 

*  Alone  ;  her  heart  is  steel  within  her  breast.' 

To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied  : 
\  Good  friend  !  I  neither  magnify  at  all, 
1  Nor  undervalue,  nor  admire  too  much. 
'  Full  well  I  know  what  once  thou  wert,  when  thou  175 
'  Didst  in  a  ship  from  Ithaca  depart. 

*  Come,  spread  a  couch  for  him,  Euryclea  ! 

'  Within  the  chamber  which  he  made  himself ; 

*  And  ye,  when  ye  have  placed  the  bed-stead  there, 

'  Lay  clothing,  fleeces,  cloaks,  and  bright  rugs  on.'  iso 

She  thus  to  try  her  husband  spoke  ;  but  he 
Disturbed,  addressed  again  his  prudent  wife  : 
1  Lady  !  the  word  thou  speakest  grieves  my  heart. 
1  Who  has  removed  my  couch  elsewhere  ?  'twere  hard 
1  E'en  for  a  very  skilful  one,  unless 
4  A  God  should  come,  and  he  could,  if  he  willed,      185 

*  With  ease  remove  it  to  another  place : 


186  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXIII. 

1  But  none  of  mortal  men  alive,  not  one 

'  In  prime  of  life,  could  move  its  fastenings  ; 

*  For  a  great  wonder  in  that  well-made  bed 

'  Was  wrought,  which  I  and  no  one  else  contrived. 

*  A  long-leaved  olive  tree  stood  in  the  court,  190 
1  Full-grown  and  verdant,  as  a  column  thick  : 

*  Putting  a  chamber  round  I  built  it  up 

*  With  layers  of  stone,  and  roofed  it  well  above, 
'  And  close  doors,  fitting  well,  I  placed  therein. 

'  The  long-leaved  olive's  foliage  I  cut  off,  195 

1  And,  lopping  from  the  root  the  trunk,  with  brass 

1  I  made  it  smooth,  and  well  and  skilfully 

'  I  straightened  by  a  ruler,  fashioning 

1 A  bed-post,  and  with  whimble  bored  it  all. 

*  Beginning  thence  I  polished  up  the  bed, 
'  Till  I  completed,  ornamenting  it 

*  With  gold,  with  silver,  and  with  ivory,  200 
1  And  stretched  an  ox-hide  thong  with  purple  bright. 

*  This  sign  I  show  thee  thus,  nor  do  I  know 
1  If,  lady  !  still  my  bed  is  firm,  or  one 

*  Has  moved  it,  cutting  down  the  olive's  trunk.' 

He  spoke :    her   knees   and  dear  heart  were  un- 
nerved, 205 
Knowing  the  sure  signs  which  Ulysses  told. 
Weeping  she  ran,  and,  round  Ulysses'  neck 
Throwing  her  hands,  she  kissed  his  head  and  spoke 
'  Ulysses  !  blame  me  not,  since  wiser  thou 
'  Than  others  j  but  the  Gods  have  caused  thee  grief,  210 
'  Who  grudged  us  with  each  other  to  remain, 

*  To  joy  in  youth  and  age's  threshold  reach. 

*  But  be  not  angry  with  me  nor  enraged, 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII.  187 

'  Because  I  did  not  when  I  saw  thee  first 

*  As  now  embrace  thee  :  ever  in  my  breast 

'  My  mind  was  shudd'ring  lest  one  with  his  words    215 
1  Delude  me  ;  many  evil  plans  devise. 

*  Not  would  the  Argive  Helen,  sprung  from  Jove, 

*  Have  with  a  foreigner  intrigued  in  love, 

'  If  she  had  known  that  warlike  sons  of  Greeks         220 
'  Would  bring  her  home  to  her  paternal  land  : 

*  The  God  excited  her  foul  deeds  to  do, 

4  But  in  her  mind  she  had  not  thought  upon 
'  The  mischief  sad,  whence  grief  came  first  to  us. 
'  Now,  since  thou  tell'st  me  the  undoubted  signs      225 
1  About  our  couch,  which  none  but  we  alone, 

*  Thou,  I,  and  one  hand-maiden,  Actoris, 

'  (Whom  when  I  hither  came  my  father  gave) 
1  Have  seen  (she  kept  our  well-built  chamber  doors), 
'  Thou  dost  persuade  my  mind  though  hard  it  was.'  230 
She  spake,  and  roused  still  more  his  wish  for  tears : 
Holding  his  charming  prudent  wife  he  wept. 
As  welcome  would  the  land  appear  to  those 
Who  swim,  whose  well-made  ship,  compelled  by  wrind 
And  strong  waves,  Neptune  in  the  sea  has  wrecked, 
And  swimming  from  the  white  sea  few  escape  235 

To  land,  while  much  brine  gathers  round  their  flesh, 
And  gladly  step  ashore  escaping  woe  ; 
So  when  she  saw  him  welcome  was  her  spouse, 
Nor  from  his  neck  her  white  arms  loosed  she  yet ;  240 
And  rosy-fingered  morning,  while  they  still 
Were  weeping,  would  have  shown  herself,  had  not 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  thought  of  other  things  : 
She  checked  the  long  night  at  its  boundary, 


188  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII. 

Detained  the  gold -throned  morning  in  the  sea, 

Nor  suffered  her  to  yoke  her  rapid  steeds,  245 

Lampus  and  Phaethon,  who  bear  the  light 

To  men,  the  horses  who  bring  in  the  dawn. 

Then  to  his  wife  the  wise  Ulysses  said : 

'  My  wife  !  we  have  not  yet  attained  the  end 

*  Of  all  our  labours ;  one  remains  behind, 

1  Immeasurable,  great  and  difficult,  250 

1  And  this  it  still  behoves  me  to  complete ; 

*  For  so  the  spirit  of  Tiresias 

'  Foretold  me,  on  the  day  when  I  went  down 

*  Within  the  house  of  Pluto  to  inquire 

1  Of  my  companions'  and  my  own  return. 

*  But  come,  wife  !  let  us  to  our  couch  retreat, 

'  That  we  reposing  may  sweet  sleep  enjoy.'  255 

To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied : 

*  The  couch  shall  be  for  thee  when  in  thy  mind 

*  Thou  wishest,  since  the  Gods  have  made  thee  reach 

*  Thy  well-built  house  and  thy  paternal  land. 

1  But,  since  thou  thinkest  of  it  and  the  God  260 

'  Has  put  it  in  thy  mind,  about  the  toil 

*  Come  tell  me  ;  I  hereafter,  I  suppose, 

'  Shall  hear  it ;  'tis  not  worse  to  know  it  now.' 
The  wise  Ulysses  answered  her  and  said : 

*  Unhappy  one  !  why  urge  me  to  repeat 

'  The  tale  ?  but  I  will  tell  it  nor  conceal ;  265 

'  Thy  mind  will  not  rejoice  thereat,  nor  I 

'  Rejoice.     He  bade  me  go  to  many  towns, 

'  Until  I  came  to  men  who  do  not  know 

'  The  sea,  nor  eat  their  victuals  mixed  with  salt,      270 

'  Nor  know  they  ships  whose  sides  are  painted  red, 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXIII.  189 

1  Nor  the  broad  oars  which  are  the  wings  of  ships. 
1  He  gave,  I  will  not  hide  it,  this  clear  sign : 
1  When  me  some  other  traveller  should  meet, 
'  And  say  I  bear  a  fan  to  winnow  corn 

*  Upon  my  noble  shoulder,  then  the  oar  275 

*  He  bade  that  1  should  fix  upon  the  ground, 
1  And  that,  to  royal  Neptune  having  made 

*  Fair  sacrifice,  a  lamb,  a  bull,  a  boar, 

*  I  should  go  home  and  sacred  hecatombs 

'  Give  to  the  Gods  who  in  the  wide  sky  dwell,  280 

*  To  all  of  them  in  order ;  from  the  sea 

1  Death  without  violence  would  on  me  come 

'  To  kill  me,  by  a  prosperous  old  age 

'  Weighed  down  :  contented  should  my  subjects  be, 

'  Around  me :  this  he  told  me  should  be  done.' 

To  him  the  wise  Penelope  replied  :  285 

*  If  then  the  Gods  more  prosperous  old  age 

'  Vouchsafe,  there's  hope  for  refuge  from  our  woes.' 

Such  words  they  thus  to  one  another  spoke : 
Eurynome  the  meanwhile  and  the  nurse 
By  shining  lights  a  soft-clothed  couch  prepared.       290 
When  the  thick  couch  they  busily  bad  strewed 
The  old  dame  to  the  house  returned  to  sleep. 
Eurynome,  whose  charge  the  chamber  was, 
Preceded  them  as  to  the  couch  they  went, 
Holding  a  torch  and  to  the  chamber  led 
The  way,  and  then  retired  ;  while  they  with  joy      295 
Again  upon  the  nuptial  couch  reposed. 
Telemachus,  the  herdsman,  swineherd,  then 
Ceased  from  the  dance  and  made  the  women  cease, 
And  in  the  shady  palace  went  to  rest. 


190  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII. 

But  when  the  two  woke  up  from  their  repose  300 

They  pleased  themselves  with  interchange  of  words  : 

She,  the  divine  one,  told  what  ills  she  bore, 

When  in  the  house  the  suitors'  wasteful  band 

She  saw,  who  slew  the  oxen  and  fat  sheep 

For  her ;  and  much  wine  from  the  casks  was  drawn.  305 

Noble  Ulysses  told  what  woes  he  brought 

On  men,  what  sorrows  he  himself  endured. 

He  told  it  all  and  she  was  charmed  to  hear, 

Nor  slumbered  she  till  he  had  told  her  all. 

First  he  began  how  the  Ciconians  310 

He  had  subdued,  and  to  the  fruitful  land 

Of  the  Lotophagi  had  come  ;  next  what 

The  Cyclops  did,  and  how  he  had  avenged 

The  friends  whom  he  unpitying  devoured ; 

How  came  to  JEolus,  who  him  received 

Kindly  and  sent  him  off;  but  'twas  not  yet 

The  fate  for  him  to  reach  his  native  land,  315 

For  the  storm  hurried  him  away,  and  bore 

Heavily  groaning  o'er  the  fishy  sea. 

Then  told  he  how  to  Lsestrygonia, 

Having  wide  gates,  he  went,  and  how  those  men 

Destroyed  his  ships  and  all  his  well-greaved  friends. 

[Ulysses  only  in  a  ship  escaped.]  320 

Of  Circe's  wiles  and  varied  artifice 

He  told  ;  how  in  a  well-benched  ship  he  went 

To  Pluto's  gloomy  mansion,  that  he  might 

Consult  Tiresias'  the  Theban's  soul ; 

All  his  companions,  and  his  mother  saw, 

Who  bore  and  nourished  him  while  yet  a  babe ;       325 

How  the  assembled  Sirens'  voice  he  heard ; 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIII.  191 

How  to  the  wand'ring  rocks  he  came,  arid  dire 
Charybdis,  and,  whom  none  unharmed  escaped, 
To  Scylla ;  how  the  oxen  of  the  sun 
His  friends  had  slaughtered;  how  with  smould'ring 
bolt  330 

The  lofty-thund'ring  Jove  his  swift  ship  struck, 
And,  while  his  brave  companions  perished  all 
At  once,  how  he  the  evil  fate  escaped ; 
How  to  the  isle  Ogygia  he  came, 
And  to  the  nymph  Calypso,  who  detained 
In  hollow  grots  and  wooed  him  for  her  spouse, 
Who  nourished  him,  and  said  that  she  would  make  335 
Immortal,  all  his  days  from  old  age  free, 
But  did  not  in  his  breast  his  mind  persuade ; 
How,  after  many  labours,  he  had  come 
To  the  Phseacians'  land,  who  as  a  God 
Honoured  him  heartily,  and  in  a  ship 
Conveyed  him  to  his  dear  paternal  land,  340 

Bestowing  brass  and  gold  enough,  and  vests. 
This  was  the  last  word  which  he  spoke,  when  sleep 
Sweet,  both  his  limbs  relaxing  and  his  mind 
Freeing  from  its  anxieties,  rushed  on. 
Blue-eyed  Minerva  then  had  other  thoughts : 
When  in  her  mind  Ulysses  she  supposed  345 

Sufficiently  refreshed  with  rest  and  sleep, 
She  roused  the  gold-throned  harbinger  of  dawn 
From  ocean  to  convey  the  light  to  men. 
From  his  soft  couch  Ulysses  rose  in  haste, 
And  to  his  wife  he  thus  commandment  gave : 

*  My  wife  !  we  both  of  us  have  had  enough 

*  Of  many  labours ;  thou  in  weeping  here  350 


»0 


192  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIV. 

'  For  my  care-fraught  return  j  me  Jupiter 

'  And  other  Gods,  when  eager  to  return, 

'  Have  kept  by  woes  from  my  paternal  land. 

'  But  since  we  both  have  now  renewed  our  loves, 

I  Take  charge  of  my  possessions  in  the  house.  35 
'  The  sheep  which  those  false  suitors  have  consumed 

I I  will  replace  as  booty,  and  the  Greeks 

'  Others  shall  give  till  all  the  stalls  they  fill. 

'  But  to  the  farm  well-wooded  I  will  go, 

1  To  see  my  good  sire  wdio  aye  grieves  for  me.  360 

'  This,  wife  !  I  charge  thee,  prudent  in  thyself, 

'  (For  wTith  the  rising  sun  report  will  go 

'  Forthwith  about  the  suitors  whom  I  slew) 

1  Go  to  the  upper  chamber  with  thy  maids ; 

'  Sit  there,  nor  any  one  regard  nor  ask.' 

He  spake,  and  round  his  shoulders  girt  his  arms  :   365 
Telemachus,  the  herdsman,  swineherd,  then 
He  roused,  and  bade  all  take  their  warlike  arms.  ^ 
They  disobeyed  not,  but  were  armed  with  brass, 
Opened  the  doors  and  went ;  Ulysses  first. 
Light  was  on  earth,  but  them  Minerva  led 
Quick  from  the  city,  cov'ring  them  with  night. 


BOOK     XXIV. 


Cyllenian  Hermes  called  the  suitors'  souls : 
He  held  a  rod,  fair,  golden,  in  his  hands, 
Wherewith  he  soothes  men's  eyes  whose  e'er  he  wrills, 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXIV.  193 

And  again  rouses  others  from  their  sleep  ; 

With  this  he  drove  them  ;  they  went  gibb'ring  on  :     5 

As  when  within  a  gloomy  cave's  recess 

Bats  gibb'ring  flit,  and  of  the  link  one  falls 

From  off  a  rock,  and  they  together  cling, 

So  gibbering  they  went,  and  Mercury 

Led  them  unharmed  along  the  murky  ways.  10 

By  ocean's  streams  and  the  Leucadian  rock, 

By  the  sun's  gates  and  land  of  dreams  they  went, 

And  hasted  to  the  mead  of  asphodel, 

Where  dwell  the  souls,  the  figures  of  the  dead. 

Achilles',  son  of  Peleus,  soul  they  found ;  15 

Souls  of  Patroclus,  brave  Antilochus, 

Of  Ajax,  who  was  best  in  face  and  form 

Of  all  the  Greeks,  next  Peleus'  noble  son. 

Thus  they  were  gathered  round  him,  and  the  soul 

Of  Agamemnon,  Atreus'  son,  came  near  20 

Wailing,  and  others  were  assembled  round, 

Who  with  him  in  iEgisthus'  house  had  died. 

Him  first  the  soul  of  Peleus'  son  addressed : 

'  We  said,  0  son  of  Atreus  !  that  thou  wert  25 

*  Beloved  by  Jove,  in  thunder  who  delights, 
'  Beyond  the  other  heroes  all  thy  days, 

1  Because  o'er  many  brave  men  thou  wert  king, 
1  In  Trojan  land  where  we  Greeks  suffered  woes. 

*  But  surely  e'en  to  thee  the  first  of  all 

1  Destructive  fate  was  destined  to  arrive, 
1  Which  no  man  who  was  ever  born  escapes. 

*  Thou  oughtest,  still  the  honourable  state  30 
'  Enjoying  where  thou  wert  the  sovereign, 

1  To  have  met  death  and  fate  on  Trojan  land  ; 


194  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXIV. 

'  Then  would  the  Greeks  have  built  thy  tomb,  and  thou 
'  Both  for  thyself  and  son  have  earned  renown  : 
'  Now  'twas  thy  fate  a  wretched  death  to  die.' 

To  him  the  soul  of  Atreus'  son  replied  :  35 

'  0  happy  son  of  Peleus,  like  the  Gods  ! 

*  Achilles  !  who  in  Troy  didst  die  afar 

*  From  Argos,  while  around  thee  there  were  slain 
'  The  noblest  sons  of  Trojans  and  of  Greeks, 

'  Fighting  around  thee  ;  mighty  at  full  length 

'  Thou  in  a  whirlwind  of  the  dust  the  while 

'  Didst  lie,  forgetful  of  thine  horsemanship.  40 

4  We  fought  all  day,  nor  should  have  ceased  at  all 

'  From  war,  had  Jove  not  stayed  us  by  a  storm. 

'  When  from  the  war  we  brought  thee  to  the  ships, 

'  We  laid  thee  on  a  bier,  and  thy  fair  flesh 

1  With  water  warm  and  ointment  purified.  45 

*  Many  hot  tears  the  Greeks  around  thee  shed 

'  And  cut  their  hair  :  thy  mother  from  the  sea 

'  Came  with  th'  immortal  sea-nymphs,  when  she  heard 

'  The  tidings  :  awful  clamour  o'er  the  sea 

'  Arose,  and  trembling  seized  on  all  the  Greeks, 

*  And  they  would  rushing  to  the  ships  have  gone,      50 
'  Had  not  a  man  restrained  them,  Nestor,  one 

1  Who  knew  things  old  and  many,  and  of  whom 
'  The  counsel  had  before  appeared  the  best ; 
'  Who  wishing  well  to  them  harangued  and  said  : 
<  "  Stay,  Argives  !  fly  not,  children  of  the  Greeks  ! 
' "  Here  with  th'  immortal  sea-nymphs  from  the  sea  55 
4 "His  mother  comes  to  meet  her  slaughtered  son." 
'He  spake:  the  bold  Greeks  were  restrained  from  flight. 
'  The  daughters  of  the  old  man  of  the  sea 


THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXIV.  195 

'  Around  thee  weeping  pitifully  stood, 

*  And  with  ambrosial  garments  clothed  thy  limbs. 

*  All  the  nine  Muses  with  their  lovely  voice  oo 

*  Eesponsive  wailed  ;  thou  wouldst  not  there  have  seen 

*  A  tearless  Greek ;  the  sweet  Muse  moved  them  so. 
1  For  seventeen  days  and  nights  in  unison 

*  We  mourned,  immortal  Gods  and  mortal  men : 

*  On  the  eighteenth  we  gave  thee  to  the  fire,  65 
'  And  many  sheep  and  oxen  round  thee  slew. 

1  Thou  in  the  clothing  of  the  Gods  wast  burnt, 

1  In  copious  ointment  and  in  honey  sweet. 

1  Many  Greek  heroes,  horse  and  foot -men,  clashed 

1  Their  arms  around  thy  pyre  when  thou  wert  burnt,  70 

1  And  great  the  clamour  rose.     When  Vulcan's  flame 

*  At  last  consumed  thee,  in  the  morning  we, 
'  Achilles  !  gathered  up  thy  whit'ning  bones 

'  In  ointment  and  pure  wine  ;  thy  mother  gave 

1  A  golden  bowl ;  she  said  it  was  the  gift 

1  Of  Bacchus,  and  the  famous  Vulcan's  work.  75 

*  Noble  Achilles  !  there  thy  white  bones  lie  ; 

'  Those  of  Mencetias'  son  are  with  them  mixed, 

*  The  dead  Patroclus,  but  apart  were  those 
'  Of  him  whom  thou  didst  honour  above  all 

*  Thy  other  comrades,  when  Patroclus  died, 

*  Antilochus  ;  and  there  around  them  we, 
1  The  sacred  army  of  the  warlike  Greeks, 

*  Heaped  up  a  large  and  noble  monument,  ,so 

*  Upon  a  cliff  in  the  wide  Hellespont, 

*  That  from  the  sea  it  might  be  seen  afar 

4  By  those  who  are  and  those  who  will  be  bom. 

*  Thy  mother,  having  prayed  the  Gods,  proposed 


196  THE    ODYSSEY.  —  BOOK    XXIV. 

1  Iii  the  mid  course  fair  contests  for  the  Greeks. 

*  Thou  hast  assisted  at  the  burial 

'  Of  many  heroes,  where  youths  gird  themselves, 
4  And  when  a  monarch  dies  prepare  the  games  ; 
'  Those   hadst   thou   seen   thou   wouldst    have    been 
amazed,  90 

'  Such  were  the  beauteous  contests  which  for  thee 
'  The  Goddess,  Thetis  with  the  silver  feet, 

*  Prepared,  for  thou  wert  by  the  Gods  beloved. 
1  So  thou  not  even  after  death  hast  lost 

1  Thy  name,  Achilles  !  but  for  evermore 

'  Great  among  all  men  will  be  thy  renown. 

'  But  what  of  this  delight  was  mine,  when  I  95 

'  The  war  had  ended  %  for,  on  my  return, 

1  Jove  planned  for  me  a  miserable  death, 

'  Slain  by  iEgisthus  and  my  murd'rous  wife.' 

Such  things  they  thus  to  one  another  spoke. 
Hermes,  the  messenger,  came  near  and  brought 
The  suitors'  spirits  by  Ulysses  slain  :  100 

The  two  in  wonder  saw  and  met  them  straight, 
The  soul  of  Agamemnon,  Atreus'  son, 
Knew  the  illustrious  Amphimedon, 
The  son  of  Melaneus,  for  he  had  been 
When  he  abode  in  Ithaca  his  host. 
Him  first  the  soul  of  Atreus'  son  addressed  :  105 

'  Amphimedon  !  by  what  calamity 
'  Come  ye  beneath  the  gloomy  earth,  all  men 
1  Select  and  of  an  equal  age  ?  just  so 
'  One  in  a  city  would  select  the  best. 
'  Did  Neptune  kill  you  in  the  ships,  a  storm 

*  Of  boist'rous  winds  arousing  and  long  waves,  no 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXIV.  197 

4  Or  did  fierce  men  do  violence  ashore, 

'  While  ye  were  cutting  off  their  beeves  and  flocks 

4  Of  sheep,  or  fighting  for  their  towns  and  wives  ? 

1  Tell  when  I  ask ;  I  boast  to  be  thy  guest, 

4  For  dost  thou  not  remember  when  I  went  115 

*  With  God-like  Menelaus  to  thine  house, 

4  To  urge  Ulysses  in  our  well-benched  ships 
1  To  follow  in  our  company  to  Troy  1 
4  We  were  a  whole  month  passing  the  broad  sea, 
1  But  on  the  brave  Ulysses  scarce  prevailed.' 

The  spirit  of  Amphimedon  replied  :  120 

1  Most  glorious  son  of  Atreus  !  king  of  men  ! 
'  Jove-nurtured  Agamemnon  !  I  recall 

*  All  as  thou  say'st,  and  all  will  tell  thee  true, 

'  The  sad  end  of  our  death  and  how  'twas  caused. 

*  We  wooed  Ulysses'  wife,  now  absent  long,  125 
'  But  she  the  hateful  marriage  neither  would 

'  Refuse,  nor  did  she  to  conclusion  bring, 
'  Counselling  death  and  gloomy  fate  for  us. 

*  This  other  craft  she  in  her  mind  devised  : 

4  Within  her  halls  a  web  she  fixed  and  wove, 

1  Fine,  beyond  measure  large,  and  said  to  us  :  130 

4  "  Young  suitors  !  since  Ulysses  now  is  dead, 

1 "  Delay  to  urge  my  marriage  on  me  till 

4 "  The  web  I  finish,  lest  my  threads  be  vain  : 

1 "  For  brave  Laertes  'tis  a  winding  sheet, 

4  "  When  of  long-sleeping  death  the  fate  shall  come,   135 

*  "  That  no  Greek  matron  may  indignant  be 

* "  That  one  so  rich  should  die  without  a  shroud." 

*  She,  while  by  day  the  ample  web  she  wove, 
1  Unravelled  it  by  torch -light  in  the  night. 


198  THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXIV. 

'  Three  years  by  craft  she  thus  misled  the  Greeks  ;  140 
1  But  when  the  fourth  year  came  aud  hours  went  on 
1  With  waning  months,  and  many  days  were  done, 

*  One  of  her  women  told  who  knew  it  well, 

1  And  her  we  found  unravelling  the  web  ;  145 

'  So  she  completed  it  against  her  will. 

*  When  she  had  wove  and  washed  the  ample  web, 
'  She  shewed  a  robe  like  to  the  sun  or  moon. 

'  Then  evil  fate  at  last  Ulysses  brought 
'  From  somewhere  to  the  land's  extremity,  150 

'  Where  dwells  the  swineherd  ;  thither  also  came 
'  The  dear  son  of  Ulysses  in  a  ship 

*  From  sandy  Pylos.     Planning  evil  death 
'  Against  the  suitors,  at  the  famous  town 

1  The  two  arrived,  Ulysses  came  the  last, 

1  Telemachus  had  led  the  way  before  ;  155 

'  The  swineherd  brought  him,  clad  in  mean  attire, 

'  Like  to  a  wretched  aged  beggar-man, 

'  [Propped  on  a  staff  and  clad  in  mean  attire,] 

'  None  of  us  knew  'twas  he  so  suddenly 

'  Appearing,  not  e'en  those  who  eldest  were  ;  160 

6  But  we  assailed  him  with  foul  words  and  blows. 

6  He  for  a  time  endured  it  patiently, 

'  In  his  own  palace  stricken  and  reviled. 

'  But  when  the  plan  of  aegis-bearing  Jove 

'  Aroused  him,  with  Telemachus  he  took  165 

'  And  in  the  chamber  placed  the  beauteous  arms, 

'  And  closed  the  bolts  ;  but  with  much  craftiness 

1  Advised  his  wife  to  make  the  bow  and  steel 

1  A  contest  for  the  suitors,  and  for  us, 

'  Ill-fated  men,  the  origin  of  death. 


THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXIV.  199 

*  Not  one  of  us  could  stretch  the  strong  bow's  string ; 
1  We  were  far  short ;  but  when  the  mighty  bow  170 
1  Came  to  Ulysses'  hands,  with  chiding  words 

1  We  all  forbade  that  they  should  give  the  bow 

*  To  him,  not  even  though  he  much  might  say : 

1  Telemachus  alone  commanded  it.  175 

'  Divine  Ulysses  took  it  in  his  hands, 
'  Stretched  easily  the  bow  and  shot  right  through 
1  The  steel  rings  ;  went  and  on  the  threshold  stood, 

*  Poured  the  swift  arrows  out,  and  terribly 

1  Glared  round,  and  struck  the  king  Antinous. 

*  Then  at  the  rest  he  sent  the  grievous  shafts  180 

*  Aiming  in  front :  they  near  each  other  fell. 

*  'Twas  manifest  some  God  was  their  ally, 

'  For  quickly  following  with  all  their  force 

*  They  killed  them  running  round  and  round  the  house. 
1  Unseemly  groaning  as  their  heads  were  struck 

'  Arose,  and  all  the  pavement  reeked  with  blood.      185 

'  So  died  we,  Agamemnon  !  even  now 

'  Our  bodies  in  Ulysses'  palace  lie  x 

1  Without  funereal  rites,  for  not  as  yet 

'  Our  friends  in  each  one's  house  are  'ware  of  it, 

1  Who,  having  washed  the  black  gore  from  our  wounds, 

1  Would  lay  our  bodies  out  and  mourn  for  us ; 

'  For  of  the  dead  this  is  the  privilege.'  190 

The  soul  of  Atreus'  son  to  him  replied  : 
1  Laertes'  happy  son  !  Ulysses  wise  ! 

*  Thou  by  great  valour  hast  regained  thy  wife. 

*  How  excellent  the  sentiments  of  her, 
I  Blameless  Penelope,  Icarius'  child  ! 

■  How  well  Ulysses  she  in  mem'ry  kept !  195 


< 


200  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIV. 

'  Her  virgin- wedded  spouse,  whose  valour's  fame 

'  Will  never  perish,  and  th'  immortal  Gods 

'  Will  make  for  men  on  earth  a  lovely  song 

'  In  honour  of  the  wise  Penelope. 

'  Not  so  the  child  of  Tyndarus  devised 

*  Bad  deeds,  and  slew  her  virgin-wedded  spouse  ; 

'  And  among  men  a  hateful  song  will  be  200 

'  For  her,  and  she  has  earned  a  bad  report 

'  For  women,  e'en  though  one  good  deeds  may  do.' 

Such  words  they  thus  to  one  another  said, 
Standing  in  Pluto's  house  beneath  the  earth. 
Ulysses  and  his  friends,  when  from  the  town  205 

They  went,  soon  reached  Laertes'  well-tilled  farm, 
Which  he  himself  acquired  and  toiled  at  much. 
There  was  his  house  ;  a  shed  ran  all  around, 
Where  necessary  servants  used  to  eat 
And  sit  and  sleep,  who  at  his  pleasure  worked.         210 
Within  there  was  an  old  Sicilian  dame, 
Who  on  the  old  man  waited  carefully, 
There  at  the  farm  far  distant  from  the  town. 
Ulysses  to  his  son  and  servants  said : 
'  Do  ye  go  now  the  well-built  house  within, 
'  And  quickly  kill  for  supper  of  the  swine  215 

'  Whiche'er  is  best ;  but  I  will  go  and  try 
'  My  father  whether  he  will  recognise 
1  And  with  his  eyes  discern  me,  or  perhaps 
'  Not  know  me  being  so  long  time  away.' 

Thus  having  said  he  to  the  servants  gave 
His  warlike  arms ;  they  quickly  went  within.  220 

Ulysses  near  the  fruitful  orchard  came 
To  try  him,  but  he  found  nor  Dolius  near 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XXIV.  201 

Nor  any  of  his  servants  or  his  sons 
On  ent'ring  the  great  orchard ;  they  had  gone 
To  gather  thorns  to  be  the  orchard's  fence, 
And  the  old  man  had  led  them  on  the  way.  225 

In  the  well-cultivated  orchard  he 
His  father  found  alone,  who  hoed  a  plant, 
And  in  a  sordid  dress,  patched,  mean,  was  clad ; 
'And  round  his  legs  bound  ragged  ox-hide  greaves 

/To  'scape  the  brambles,  gloves  upon  his  hands 
Because  of  thorns,  and  on  his  head  he  wore  230 

A  cap  of  goat-skin,  nourishing  his  grief. 
Divine  Ulysses  when  he  saw  him  thus 
Worn  by  old  age,  with  sorrow  in  his  mind, 
By  a  tall  pear-tree  stood  and  dropped  a  tear : 
He  meditated  in  his  mind,  and  thought  235 

Whether  to  kiss  his  father  and  embrace, 
And  tell  him  all,  and  how  that  he  had  come, 
And  had  arrived  at  his  paternal  land, 
Or  question  first,  and  try  him  on  all  points. 
This  as  he  meditated  seemed  the  best, 
At  first  to  try  him  with  reproachful  words.  240 

Thus  thinking,  straight  divine  Ulysses  went  : 
He  with  bowed  head  was  digging  round  a  plant, 
When  his  illustrious  son  approached  and  said : 

*  Old  man  !  no  want  of  skill  is  thine  to  tend 

1  An  orchard,  but  thy  care  maintains  it  well :  245 

*  Nor  plant,  nor  fig,  nor  vine,  nor  olive-tree, 
1  Nor  pear,  nor  border  in  the  garden  lacks 

*  Thy  care ;  but  something  else  I  have  to  say ; 
1  Let  not  thy  mind  be  angry ;  no  good  care 

'  Tends  thee,  thyself,  but  pitiful  old  age 


202  THE    ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXIV. 

'  Thou  hast,  and  sadly  squalid  art  besides,  250 

'  And  meanly  clad.     Not  for  thine  idleness 
'  Is  't  that  thy  master  takes  no  care  of  thee  ; 
'  Thy  form  and  stature  not  as  of  a  slave 

*  Appear,  for  thou  art  like  a  kingly  man  ; 

'  Thou  art  like  one  who  after  bath  and  feast 

i  Should  softly  sleep,  the  old  men's  privilege.  255 

'  But  come  now  tell  me  this,  and  tell  me  true  : 

*  Whose  serf  art  thou  ?  whose  orchard  dost  thou  tend  1 
'  And  truly  tell  me  this  that  I  may  know, 

*  If  I  indeed  am  come  to  Ithaca, 

1  As  that  man  told  me,  meeting  me  just  now  260 

'  As  I  came  hither ;  one  not  very  wise, 

'  Nor  who  had  patience  or  to  tell  me  all 

'  Or  listen  to  my  words,  when  I  inquired 

'  About  a  guest  of  mine,  if  yet  he  lives, 

1  Or  now  is  dead  and  is  in  Pluto's  house. 

1  For  I  will  tell  thee,  understand  and  hear  :  265 

'  I  once  received  in  hospitality 

*  A  man  in  my  paternal  land,  who  came 

*  To  my  abode ;  none  ever  in  my  house 

'  Of  foreign  guests  came  more  beloved  than  he. 

'  His  race,  he  boasted  was  from  Ithaca, 

'  And  he  asserted  that  his  father  was 

1  Laertes,  of  Arcesias  the  son.  270 

I  Him  I  took  home  and  entertained  him  well, 
'  Treating  him  kindly,  for  my  house  was  rich, 

*  And  gave  him  gifts  of  hospitality, 

*  Such  as  were  suitable  ;  of  well-wrought  gold 

I I  gave  him  seven  talents,  and  I  gave 

'  A  bowl  all  silver,  covered  o'er  with  flow'rs,  275 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK   XXIV.  203 

1  Twelve  single  cloaks,  as  many  coverlids, 

*  As  many  robes,  as  many  vests  besides, 

1  And  after  these  four  beauteous  women,  skilled 
'  Tn  faultless  works,  for  these  he  wished  to  take.' 
To  him  his  father,  shedding  tears,  replied  :  280 

*  Stranger !  in  truth  thou  to  the  land  art  come 
'  Thou  askest  of ;  proud  bad  men  have  it  now. 
1  The  presents  thou  hast  given,  numerous, 

1  Thou  hast  in  vain  bestowed  :  I  would  that  thou 
1  Hadst  found  him  here  in  Ithaca  alive ; 

*  Then  he,  with  gifts  and  hospitality  285 
1  Requiting,  would  have  sent  thee  on  thy  way ; 

*  For  this  is  just  to  whosoe'er  begins. 

1  But  come  now,  tell  me  this  and  tell  me  true  : 

*  How  many  years  have  passed  away  since  thou 
'  Thy  hapless  guest,  my  son,  didst  entertain  ] 

*  For  son  he  was,  ill-fated,  whom  afar  290 
'  From  friends  and  home  the  fishes  in  the  sea 

*  Devoured,  or  who  upon  the  land  has  been 

'  A  prey  of  beasts  and  birds ;  since  not  for  him 
1  His  mother  wept  when  she  composed  his  limbs, 

*  Nor  I,  his  father,  we  who  gave  him  birth  ; 
1  Nor  his  well-dowried  wife  Penelope 

'  Bewailed  her  husband,  as  'twas  fit  she  should,        295 
'  Closing  his  eyes  on  the  funereal  couch,      ' 

*  For  of  the  dead  this  is  the  privilege. 

*  And  truly  tell  me  this  that  I  may  know ; 

*  Who  and  whence  art  thou  1  where  thy  city,  where 

*  Thy  parents  1  where  the  ship  which  hither  brought 

*  Thee  and  thy  noble  friends  ?  or  didst  thou  come 

*  A  passenger  on  board  another's  ship,  300 


204  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIV. 

*  While  they  have  landed  thee  and  gone  away  ? ' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said : 

*  I  will  then  truly  all  these  things  relate  ; 
'  I  am  from  Alybas,  inhabiting 

'  A  noble  house,  and  am  Apheidor's  son 

'  Who  of  King  Polypemon  was  the  son  ;  305 

'  Eperitus  my  name  ;  the  Deity 

'  Hither  a  wanderer  from  Sicily 

'  Brought  me  against  my  will ;  my  ship  is  moored 

'  Out  in  the  country,  from  the  city  far. 

'  This  is  the  fifth  year  since  Ulysses  went  31  o 

'  Away  and  left  my  country,  luckless  man  i 

1  Yet  surely  when  he  went  the  birds  were  good 

'  And  favourable  ;  I  rejoiced  in  them 

'  When  I  dismissed  him,  and  he  too  rejoiced. 

I  Each  of  us  hoped  in  hospitality 

*  To  join  again  and  splendid  presents  give.' 

He  spake  ;  a  black  cloud  o'er  Laertes  came  315 

Of  grief;  and  taking  up  in  both  his  hands 
The  ashy  dust,  upon  his  hoary  head 
He  poured  it  down,  and  groaned  incessantly. 
Ulysses'  mind  was  stirred  ;  sharp  agony 
His  features  shook  when  on  his  sire  he  gazed  : 
Bounding  he  kissed,  embraced  him,  and  thus  spoke :  320 
4  Here  I  my  very  self,  0  father  !  am, 
'  For  whom  thou  seekest  ;  in  the  twentieth  year 
'  I  have  arrived  at  my  paternal  land. 
'  But  cease  from  weeping  and  thy  tearful  moan  : 

I I  tell  thee  plainly  (great  the  need  for  haste), 

'  The  suitors  in  our  palace  I  have  slain,  325 

*  Requiting  violence  and  evil  deeds.' 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XXIV.  205 

Laertes  in  reply  addressed  him  thus  : 
1  If  truly  thou  my  son  Ulysses  com'st, 
'  Tell  me  some  clear  sign  that  I  may  believe.' 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  :  330 

*  First  with  thine  eyes  regard  this  scar,  which  once 
'  A  boar  upon  Parnassus  with  white  tusk 

'  Inflicted  on  me  when  I  thither  went. 

I  Thou  and  my  honoured  mother  sent  me  to 
'  Autolycus,  my  mother's  father  dear, 

*  To  take  the  gifts  which,  when  he  hither  came, 

*  He  promised  and  declared  that  he  would  give.        335 

I I  will  besides  recount  to  thee  the  trees 

'  Which  once  thou  gav'st  me,  when  a  child  I  asked 

*  For  each  and  through  the  garden  followed  thee  : 

1  By  them  we  passed  and  thou  didst  name  them  all : 
'  Thou  gavest  thirteen  pear,  ten  apple-trees,  340 

*  And  forty  fig-trees,  and  didst  promise  too 

'  To  give  me  fifty  plots,  each  sown  with  corn 

*  Between  the  rows  of  vines,  and  varied  grapes 

'Are  on  them,  when  Jove's  seasons  weigh  them  down.' 
So  spake  he  ;  but  his  knees  and  heart  grew  faint,  345 
Knowing  the  sure  signs  which  Ulysses  gave. 
He  threw  his  arms  around  his  much-loved  son ; 
Him  to  himself  divine  Ulysses  drew 
Fainting,  but,  when  he  gained  his  breath  again 
And  thought  was  re-collected  in  his  mind, 
He  answering  him  addressed  him  in  these  words  : 

*  0  father  Jove  !  ye  Gods  are  surely  still  350 
1  In  high  Olympus,  if  the  suitors  have 

*  Paid  for  their  wicked  insolence  indeed. 
1  But  now  within  my  mind  I  sadly  fear 


206  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIV. 

*  That  all  the  Ithacans  may  come  and  send 

'  Youths  quickly  to  the  Cephallenian  towns.'  355 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said  : 
1  Take  heart,  nor  be  this  to  thy  mind  a  care  ; 
'  But  to  the  house  which  near  the  orchard  lies, 

*  (For  I  have  thither  sent  Telemachus 

'  The  herdsman  and  the  swineherd)  let  us  go, 

'That  they  with  speed  a  supper  may  prepare.'         360 

The  two  thus  speaking  to  the  fair  house  went : 
When  to  the  house  they  came,  Telemachus, 
The  herdsman,  and  the  swineherd,  there  they  found, 
Cutting  much  flesh  and  mixing  ruddy  wine. 
But  the  Sicilian  hand-maid  meanwhile  bathed 
Magnanimous  Laertes  in  his  house,  365 

And  rubbed  with  ointment,  and  around  him  threw 
A  beauteous  cloak  :  Minerva  standing  near 
Enlarged  the  chieftain's  limbs  and  made  them  seem 
Greater  and  stouter  than  they  were  before. 
Forth  from  the  bath  he  came  ;  his  son  admired        370 
When  he  beheld  him  like  th'  immortal  Gods, 
And  calling  to  him  spoke  these  winged  words  : 
4  Father  !  sure  some  one  of  th'  immortal  Gods 
'  Has  made  thee  noble  in  thy  form  and  size.' 

The  wise  Laertes  answered  him  and  said  :  375 

'  0  father  Jove  !  Minerva  !  Phoebus  !  would 
'  Such  as  I  was  when  Neritus  I  took, 
1  The  well-built  city  on  the  continent, 
'  When  of  the  Cephallenians  I  was  king, 
'  Such  in  our  house  I  had  been  yesterday, 
1  With  armour  on  my  shoulders,  to  stand  by  380 

*  And  drive  away  the  suitors  ;  I  should  then 


THE   ODYSSEY. BOOK    XXIV.  207 

1  Have  loosed  the  knees  of  many  in  the  house, 

*  And  thou  wouldst  have  rejoiced  thy  mind  within.' 

Such  words  they  thus  to  one  another  spoke  : 
When  from  toil  ceasing  they  prepared  the  feast 
They  sate  in  order  on  the  seats  and  thrones ;  385 

Then  on  the  meal  laid  hands,  and  near  them  came 
Old  Dolius,  and  with  th'  old  man  his  sons, 
Tired  with  their  labours  ;  for  their  mother  went 
(The  old  Sicilian  dame  who  brought  them  up, 
And  tended  the  old  man  with  loving  care 
When  old  age  weighed  him  down)  to  summon  them.  390 
When  they  Ulysses  saw  and  recognized, 
They  in  the  house  stood  in  astonishment ; 
But  he  reproved  them  thus  with  honeyed  words  : 

*  Sit  down,  old  man  !  to  supper,  and  do  ye 

1  Forget  your  wonder  :  we  within  the  house,  395 

*  Eager  to  lay  our  hands  upon  the  feast, 

'  Are  waiting  long,  expecting  you  to  come.' 

He  spake ;  and  Dolius  went  to  him  straight, 
Extending  both  his  hands  ;  Ulysses'  hand 
He  took,  and  kissing  it  upon  the  wrist 
Spake  and  addressed  to  him  these  winged  words : 
'  0  dear  one  !  since  thou  hast  returned  to  us  400 

*  Much  longing  for  but  not  expecting  thee, 

'  And  since  the  Gods  themselves  have  brought  thee 

home, 
1  Hail  thou  !  and  have  much  happiness  !  and  may 

*  The  Gods  bestow  on  thee  prosperity ! 

1  But  truly  tell  me  this  that  I  may  know  : 
1  Is  wise  Penelope  of  thy  return 

*  Assured,  or  shall  we  send  a  messenger  *? '  405 


208  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXIV. 

The  wise  Ulysses  answered  him  and  said : 
'  Old  man  !  she  knows  ;  why  troublest  thou  thyself1?' 

He  spake  and  sat  upon  the  polished  seat. 
So  too  the  sons  of  Dolius  with  words 
Greeted  Ulysses,  clinging  to  his  hands,  410 

And  by  their  father  Dolius  sate  down. 
Thus  they  within  were  busied  with  the  feast  : 
But  fame  on  all  sides  through  the  city  went, 
With  tidings  of  the  suitors'  death  and  fate. 
Men  when  they  heard  it  flocked  from  ev'ry  side,      415 
With  cries  and  groans  before  Ulysses'  house. 
They  the  dead  bodies  from  the  palace  brought, 
And  buried  each  their  own ;  but  those  who  were 
From  other  cities,  placing  in  swift  ships, 
They  gave  to  fishermen  to  take  them  home  ; 
And  grieving  to  the  forum  went  in  crowds.  420 

When  they  were  gathered  and  assembled  there, 
Eupeithes  rose  before  them  and  harangued  ; 
For  in  his  mind  lay  unforgetful  grief 
For  him  whom  first  Ulysses  slew,  his  son 
Antinous,  and  thus  he  weeping  said  :  425 

*  Friends !  for  the  Greeks  this  man  has  great  deeds 

planned ; 
'  First,  taking  many  brave  men  in  his  ships, 

*  He  lost  the  hollow  ships  and  lost  their  crews  : 
'  Then  of  the  Cephallenians  these  men  far 

'  The  noblest  he  on  his  return  has  slain. 

'  Come  !  let  us  go  ere  he  to  Pylos  haste  430 

'  Or  divine  Elis,  where  th'  Epeans  rule, 

'  Or  we  shall  ever  after  be  disgraced  ; 

1  Since  a  reproach  'twould  be  for  future  men 


THE  ODYSSEY. — BOOK  XXIV.  209 

*  To  hear  that  we  had  not  avenged  ourselves 
1  Upon  our  sons'  and  brothers'  murderers. 

1  For  me  no  pleasure  would  it  be  to  live  ;  435 

1  Soon  would  I  die  and  be  among  the  dead. 

*  Come  !  let  us  go,  lest  first  they  cross  the  sea.' 

He  weeping  spake  and  pity  seized  the  Greeks : 
But  Medon  and  the  bard  divine  approached, 
When  sleep  had  left  them,  from  Ulysses'  house,       410 
And  in  the  midst  stood  ;  wonder  seized  on  each  ; 
Them  Medon,  knowing  prudent  things,  addressed : 

*  Hear  me,  ye  men  of  Ithaca  !  'twas  not 

*  Against  the  will  of  the  immortal  Gods 

'  Ulysses  planned  these  deeds  ;  for  I  myself 

1  Saw  an  immortal  God  who  stood  close  by  445 

*  Ulysses,  like  to  Mentor  in  his  form. 
'  Fronting  Ulysses  the  immortal  God 

'  Seemed  one  while  to  encourage  him,  and  then 
'  Urging  the  suitors  drove  them  through  the  house, 

*  And  one  upon  another  down  they  fell.' 

He  spake,  and  pale  fear  seized  upon  them  all.       450 
The  hero  Alitherses,  aged  son 
Of  Mastor,  thus  addressed  them  :  he  alone 
Saw  what  was  past  and  what  was  yet  to  come, 
And  wishing  well  to  them  harangued  and  said : 
1  Now,  men  of  Ithaca  !  hear  what  I  say  : 
'  These  deeds,  my  friends  !   by  your  own  fault  were 
caused :  455 

1  Nor  me,  nor  Mentor  of  the  people  chief, 
1  Did  ye  obey  to  make  your  sons  desist 

*  From  foolishness,  who  did  a  mighty  deed, 
1  Wasting  the  goods,  dishonouring  the  wife 


210  THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIV. 

'  Of  a  brave  man  who  never,  as  they  thought, 

'  Would  home  return  :  now  let  it  thus  be  done  ;       450 

'  Obey  me  as  I  say,  nor  let  us  go, 

1  Lest  some  of  us  a  self-sought  evil  find.' 

He  spake,  and  some  with  clamour  great  arose, 
More  than  the  half ;  the  rest  collected  staid, 
For  his  speech  had  not  pleased  them  in  their  mind,  435 
But  they  obeyed  Eupeithes,  and  with  speed 
Rushed  to  their  arms ;  but  when  around  their  limbs 
They  had  the  shining  brass  put  on,  they  stood 
Before  the  wide-way ed  city,  gathered  thick. 
Eupeithes  in  his  madness  led  them  on, 
And  said  that  he  his  son's  death  would  avenge ;       470 
Yet  no  return  was  he  about  to  have, 
But  there  upon  himself  his  fate  to  bring. 
Minerva  then  Jove,  Saturn's  son,  addressed  : 
'  0  father  !  son  of  Saturn  !  chief  of  kings  ! 

*  Tell  what  I  ask  :   what  does  thy  mind  conceal  1 

'  Wilt  thou  the  evil  war  and  dreadful  fight  475 

'  Still  longer  cause,  or  on  both  sides  make  peace  ? ' 

To  her  the  cloud-compelling  Jove  replied : 
'  My  child  ;  why  ask  me  this  1  for  didst  thou  not 
'  Devise  this  plan  thyself,  that  when  he  came 
'  Ulysses  on  these  men  should  vengeance  take  I        480 
'  Do  as  thou  wilt ;  I  tell  thee  what  is  right : 
'  Since  now  Ulysses  has  avenged  himself 
'  Upon  the  suitors,  let  us  faithful  oaths 
'  Conclude,  that  he  should  ever  be  the  king, 

*  And  we  make  of  their  sons'  and  brothers'  death 

'  Oblivion  ;  let  each  the  other  love  485 

'  As  formerly ;  let  wealth  and  peace  abound.' 


THE    ODYSSEY. — BOOK    XXIV.  211 

Minerva  thus,  who  eager  was  before, 
He  urged,  and  down  Olympus'  tops  she  rushed. 
When  they  had  satisfied  their  wish  for  food, 
Divine  Ulysses  thus  began  to  speak  :  490 

1  Let  one  go  out  to  see  if  they  come  near. ' 

He  spake ;  a  son  of  Dolius  went  forth 
As  he  commanded,  on  the  threshold  stood, 
And  saw  them  all  approaching  ;  then  forthwith 
He  to  Ulysses  spake  these  winged  words : 
'  The  men  approach  ;  quick  let  us  arm  ourselves.'    495  . 

He  spake  :  they  rushed  and  put  their  armour  on  j 
Four  with  Ulysses,  Dolius'  six  sons, 
With  them  Laertes  too  and  Dolius, 
Grey-headed  warrors,  by  necessity 
Their  armour  took.     When  they  had  clad  themselves 
About  their  limbs  in  shining  brass,  the  doors  500 

They  opened  and  went  forth  ;  Ulysses  led. 
To  them  Minerva,  child  of  Jove,  came  near, 
Resembling  Mentor  both  in  form  and  voice. 
Divine  Ulysses  seeing  her  rejoiced, 
And  to  Telemachus,  his  dear  son,  said  :  505 

*  Telemachus  ;  thou  now  thyself  wilt  learn, 

'  When  men  are  fighting  and  the  best  are  proved, 
'  Not  to  disgrace  thy  father's  family, 

*  Us  who  in  time  before  were  eminent 

*  In  strength  and  valour  over  all  the  earth.' 

Prudent  Telemachus  replied  and  said  :  510 

*  Thou,  if  thou  wilt,  dear  father !  shalt  behold 

*  That,  as  is  in  me  I  do  not  disgrace, 
1  As  thou  exhortest  me,  thy  family.' 

He  spake  :  Laertes  then  rejoiced  and  said  : 


212  THE   ODYSSEY. — BOOK   XXIV. 

1  0  ye  dear  Gods  !  what  day  is  this  for  me  ! 

1  Much  I  rejoice  that  son  and  grandson  have  515 

1  In  valour  with  each  other  rivalry  ! ' 

Blue -eyed  Minerva  standing  by  him  said  : 
'  Son  of  Arcesias  !  of  all  my  friends 
'  By  far  the  dearest !  since  thon  hast  invoked 
'  Blue-eyed  Minerva  and  her  father  Jove, 
1  Quickly  thy  long  spear  brandish  and  send  forth.' 

Minerva  spake,  and  courage  in  him  breathed.       520 
Then,  offering  a  prayer  to  great  Jove's  child, 
Quick  his  long  spear  he  brandished  and  sent  forth, 
And  struck  Eupeithes  through  his  brass-cheeked  helm. 
It  kept  not  off  the  spear,  the  brass  passed  through ; 
Falling  he  sounded  and  his  armour  clashed.  525 

Ulysses  and  his  noble  son  attacked 
And  struck  the  foremost  with  their  swords  and  spears, 
And  would  have  slain  them  all  and  their  return 
Prevented,  if  Minerva,  child  of  Jove, 
Had  not  cried  loudly  and  the  people  checked  :  530 

*  Cease  from  the  grievous  war,  ye  Ithacans  ! 
'  That  without  bloodshed  ye  may  parted  be.' 

So  spake  Minerva  :  pale  fear  on  them  seized, 
And  from  the  terrified  men's  hands  their  arms 
Flew  to  the  ground,  when  thus  the  Goddess  spake,  535 
And  for  life  anxious  to  the  town  they  turned. 
Divine  Ulysses  shouted  terribly, 
And,  like  an  eagle,  gath'ring  strength  rushed  on. 
Jove  hurled  a  naming  bolt ;  it  fell  before 
The  blue -eyed  one  of  mighty  father  born  ;  540 

And  to  Ulysses  thus  Minerva  spoke  : 
'  Ulysses !  wise  !  Laertes'  noble  son  ! 


THE  ODYSSEY. — BOOK  XXIV.  213 

*  Cease !  check  the  strife  of  all-destroying  war, 

1  Lest  the  loud-thund'ring  Jove  be  wroth  with  thee.' 

Minerva  spake,  and  he  with  joy  obeyed.  545 

Minerva,  child  of  segis-bearing  Jove, 
Made  treaties  afterwards  between  them  both,    / 
Resembling  Mentor  both  in  form  and  voice. 


THE    END. 


T.    BICHABDS,  37,   GREAT   QTJEBN   STREET,  W.C. 


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